Missouri American Says South County Water 'Back to Normal'

Missouri American Water Co. officials said Tuesday the water in South County is tasting better every day as testing shows treatment efforts are succeeding.

The company emphasizes South County water was always safe to drink, even if it didn't taste very good.

"But it's not enough for the water to be safe, it has to taste good too," said Ann Dettmer, external affairs manager for Missouri American Water. "We've had significant improvement.

Dettmer said the treatment process adjustments at company's South County plants and ongoing flushing of the water distribution system in the area has all but solved the water taste  issue.

Water samples taken from Fenton, Sappington, Mehlville, Oakville, and Marlborough show that the taste of the water is returning to normal.

"The taste in all those locations is back to normal," Dettmer said.

The temporary change in taste was related to conditions on the Meramec River, Dettmer said. Following a very dry October, record rainfalls occurred last Wednesday and Thursday that created high levels of runoff into the Meramec River, which is the company's "source water" in the South County area, she said.

Dettmer said although the bad taste is largely gone, Dettmer said customers who still may be having issues with the water should contact the company's 24-hour hotline at 866-430-0820.