Susanville residents may have noticed a change in the taste or smell of their tap water lately as the City of Susanville temporarily increases chlorine levels following a series of earthquakes that shook the region at the beginning last week.
According to City of Susanville Assistant Director of Engineering Erik Edholm, the recent seismic activity caused turbidity—cloudiness caused by stirred-up sediment—in the water system. In response, the city has adjusted its treatment process to maintain a proper disinfectant residual.
Susanville’s water is primarily sourced from natural springs and typically operates with a very low chlorine residual. As a result, many customers are not accustomed to the presence of chlorine in their water.
“With this temporary increase, some customers may notice a chlorine taste or odor, which is expected and remains within state standards,” Edholm explained.
Officials emphasize that the measure is strictly precautionary. The water remains safe to drink, and no ‘boil water notice’ is in effect.
Edholm explained that chlorine levels will return to normal once conditions stabilize.
