08/26/2026
Dobson Town Hall and public works received numerous calls yesterday regarding a mildew and earthy taste to the water within the Town water system. As there have been no indicators within the system causing this issue, the determination was made this cause is from purchase of Mount Airy water over the weekend. As the Town purchases water from the City of Mount Airy Saturday and Sundays.
Town officials spoke with Mount Airy officials regarding this cause, and were informed of the shared post below. Both systems work to ensure the highest water quality and safety standards and following NC Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) testing requirements. Tests are conducted hourly for safety standards, and as the water works through the system, the smell and taste will dissipate. Please contact Dobson Town Hall at 336-356-8962 if you have any questions.
City Water Update: The Public Works Department has received complaints from water customers about an “earthy taste and odor” in the City’s water supply. When we received the complaints, we sent crews out to the area of the complaint and flushed hydrants, which typically resolves the issue.
Typically, when municipal water has an “earthy taste or odor”, the unpleasant characteristics are linked to sources of algae that are present in the supply’s river or raw water reservoir. If present, algal blooms release a harmless, natural compound gas that smells and tastes “earthy”. While the algae is filtered out in the water treatment process, the harmless gas cannot be filtered out and makes its way through the system to the customer.
Unfortunately, algal blooms thrive in hot weather, and we believe that the recent record-breaking hot summer is contributing to the taste and odor issue.
After receiving the numerous complaints, on Monday August 17th, the Water Treatment Plant began adding Activated Carbon to the treatment process to improve the problem. Activated Carbon is a material (regulated by the American Water Works Association) that aids in the removal of taste and odor compounds in municipal water. The addition of Activated Carbon will improve the issue, but unfortunately, it will take 5-7 days for the activated carbon to be distributed system-wide.
In addition, we have notified the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality of the issue.
Please rest assured that water distributed through the City of Mount Airy system is safe for human consumption. The City’s processed water is tested for chlorine, turbidity, Ph, etc. several times per day and the water Meets or Exceeds All Federal and State Drinking Water Standards.
Customers should notice an improvement in the taste and odor issue soon. In the meantime, we will continue to monitor the situation, test complaint areas, and flush hydrants to keep the supply as fresh as possible. Please call the Water Department at 336-786-3595 if you are experiencing any issues.
