Water Quality

Updated Sept 23, 2026

Drinking water is safe

Since mid-August 2026, some residents have reported an earthy or musty odour when running cold water from their taps. These taste and odour concerns are caused by naturally occurring compounds in the source water and have improved significantly with cooler weather, changing river conditions, and ongoing treatment plant optimization efforts.

While some residents may still notice a slight earthy or musty odour, extensive testing and monitoring by the City's Water Treatment Plant continue to confirm that the drinking water remains safe to consume.

Geosmin Testing

The City conducted targeted testing for the compounds most commonly associated with earthy and musty tastes and odours in drinking water: geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (MIB).

 

Laboratory results from samples collected on August 19, 2026, and September 1, 2026, respectively, showed:

 

Parameter Raw Water Treated Water
Geosmin (Aug 19 Sample) 57 ng/L 34 ng/L
Geosmin (Sept 1 Sample) 32-35 ng/L 8 ng/L
Geosmin (Sept 15 Sample) 6 ng/L 4 ng/L

 

Update Sept 14: The latest geosmin results confirm the improving trend. Raw-water geosmin decreased from 54 ng/L during the earlier taste-and-odour event to approximately 32–35 ng/L on September 1, while treated-water geosmin decreased much more significantly, from 36 ng/L to 8 ng/L. This represents approximately a 78% reduction in treated-water geosmin compared with the previous result.

The 2026 late summer geosmin event gradually subsided as cooler weather returned and concentrations of naturally occurring taste-and-odour compounds in the North Saskatchewan River decreased.
Combined with ongoing treatment optimization and enhanced monitoring, these changing conditions helped reduce earthy and musty odours experienced by some residents.
Throughout the event, Prince Albert's drinking water remained safe to drink, and the City continued to work with regulators and water treatment partners to monitor conditions and respond to residents' concerns.

The human nose is extremely sensitive to these naturally occurring compounds. If you poured a teaspoon of the compound into the equivalent of 200 Olympic-sized swimming pools, you would still be able to smell it.  The general threshold for human detection is about 15 ng/l (15 nanograms per litre = 15 parts per trillion). However, some people can detect these compounds in drinking water at concentrations as low as 5 ng/l.  

This is why one person may complain that the tap water smells earthy while another person standing beside them notices nothing at all.

Heating the water increases the volatility of these compounds, which is why the smell is more easily detected in the shower or when used for hot beverages. 

 

Ongoing Oversight During the 2026 Late Summer Geosmin Event

Throughout the 2026 late summer geosmin event, Water Treatment Plant operators optimized chemical dosing, including powdered activated carbon (PAC) and potassium permanganate, to address naturally occurring organic matter in the North Saskatchewan River source water. PAC is widely used throughout the water industry to help reduce naturally occurring compounds that can affect the taste and odour of drinking water.

During the event, the City worked closely with provincial regulators and other water treatment facilities to monitor changing source-water conditions and ensure the continued safety of Prince Albert's drinking water supply. Additional water-quality sampling, testing, and analysis were conducted throughout the event, and updates were provided as new information became available.

Representatives from the Water Security Agency and Saskatchewan Health Authority visited the City’s Water Treatment Plant during the event to better understand the extent of resident concerns and review the City’s approach to managing taste, odour, and water appearance issues.

Geosmin Treatment Challenges

The 2026 event highlighted the challenges associated with geosmin, a naturally occurring compound produced by algae and other microorganisms in surface water. Geosmin can be detected by the human nose at extremely low concentrations, as little as 5 parts per trillion, making it noticeable even when water remains safe to drink.

Because geosmin is dissolved in water, conventional treatment processes such as coagulation, clarification, and filtration are not designed to remove it completely. While enhanced treatment with powdered activated carbon helped reduce concentrations during the event, complete removal was not always achievable when source-water levels were elevated.

These treatment challenges are not unique to Prince Albert. Seasonal taste-and-odour events caused by naturally occurring compounds can affect many communities that rely on surface-water sources. The 2026 late summer geosmin event demonstrated the importance of ongoing monitoring, treatment optimization, and public communication when source-water conditions change.

Quick Answers

Is my water safe to drink?
Yes. Naturally occurring organic matter affects the taste and smell of water, not its safety. Routine testing confirms the water remains safe to drink.

What causes the earthy or musty taste and odour?
Naturally occurring organic matter can be produced by algae and bacteria in surface water such as rivers, lakes and streams. It is not an indication of pollution or a failure of the water treatment process.

When does it occur?
Naturally occurring organic matter events are infrequent and are most common in late summer and early fall, when warmer water can promote algal growth.

Why can I smell it so easily?
The human nose is very sensitive to naturally occurring organic matter, and even very small amounts can be detected. Heating water can make the odour more noticeable, which is why it may be more apparent during showers or when making hot drinks.

How can I reduce the taste or odour at home?

We understand this can be frustrating, particularly when the odour is strong enough to affect drinking water, cooking or other household uses. The City continues to investigate elevated levels of natural compounds and to monitor water quality throughout the treatment and distribution system.

While the City continues to monitor and investigate the elevated geosmin levels, residents who are experiencing the taste or odour may find the following helpful:

  • Chill the water: Refrigerating water can make the taste and odour less noticeable.
  • Use a drinking-water carbon filter: An activated carbon filter designed for drinking water may help reduce compounds that affect taste and odour. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and replace the filter as recommended.
  • Let the water stand: Placing water in a covered container in the refrigerator for several hours may help reduce the noticeable odour.
  • Use bottled water if preferred: Residents who find the taste or odour particularly unpleasant may choose to use bottled water for drinking and cooking until the odour becomes less noticeable.

These steps are intended to help with taste and odour only. They do not replace the City's ongoing monitoring and testing of the water system.

Why do these events occur?

Naturally occurring organic matter events are influenced by natural changes in source-water conditions, including temperature, pH and organic matter. Warm temperatures can promote the growth of algae and other microorganisms that produce naturally occurring organic matter.

The timing of naturally occurring organic matter events cannot be predicted precisely. Typically, the taste and odour subside as source-water conditions change and temperatures cool.

As shown in the data below, water-quality monitoring during the 2026 late-summer geosmin event identified unusually high levels of naturally occurring organic matter, colour, and turbidity in the North Saskatchewan River relative to historical averages.

While these source-water conditions created operational challenges and contributed to taste and odour concerns, the Water Treatment Plant continued to effectively improve water quality through enhanced treatment processes and ongoing operational adjustments before water reached homes and businesses.

Monitoring conducted throughout the event indicated that source-water conditions gradually improved as the season progressed. Extensive sampling and testing confirmed that Prince Albert's drinking water remained safe throughout the event, even as some residents experienced temporary taste and odour issues due to naturally occurring compounds in the river.

This information has been retained as part of the City's archive of the 2026 Late Summer Geosmin Event.

 

* TCU and NTU are units used to measure different aspects of water quality:

NTU = Nephelometric Turbidity Units: Measures how cloudy or murky water is because of suspended particles such as sediment, clay, organic material and other particles.
TCU = True Colour Units: Measures the colour of the water, particularly colour caused by dissolved substances such as naturally occurring organic matter from vegetation, soil and runoff.
UVT =(Ultraviolet Transmittance) is the percentage of UV light passing through a water sample and is an important indicator of water quality and the effectiveness of UV disinfection.

The city is divided into nine weekly testing quadrants to monitor distribution health, scheduled as follows. 

See results at this link

  • Monday (3): Safeway, Wastewater Plant, Lift Station (by the Old Coca-Cola bottling plant).
  • Tuesday (3): Airport, Holiday Inn (Yard District), Marquis Inn.
  • Wednesday (3): Coronet Inn, Alfred Jenkins Field House, Victoria Hospital.

While it may have appeared to be one ongoing problem, the City managed three separate water-related issues during the summer of 2026 that occurred within a relatively short period:

  1. Tea-Coloured Water (June 2026):
    This was caused by unusually high levels of naturally occurring organic matter in the North Saskatchewan River, resulting from runoff and elevated flows. The issue primarily affected the appearance of the water.

  2. Earthy or Musty Taste and Odour (August 2026):
    This was caused by geosmin, a naturally occurring compound produced by algae and microorganisms in rivers and lakes. Geosmin affected the taste and smell of the water but did not affect its colour or safety.

  3. Localized Discolouration During Hydraulic Flushing:
    As crews responded to taste and odour concerns, hydraulic flushing was conducted throughout portions of the distribution system. Flushing can temporarily disturb sediment and naturally occurring rust deposits inside water mains, resulting in isolated discolouration in some neighbourhoods.

Although these issues occurred around the same time, they had different causes and required different operational responses. The tea-coloured water, geosmin-related taste and odour concerns, and localized discolouration were linked to either natural river conditions or distribution system maintenance activities, but they were not the same issue. Throughout these events, extensive monitoring and testing confirmed that Prince Albert's drinking water remained safe.

While some older water mains can contribute to localized discolouration, metallic tastes, or minor odours, the widespread nature of the discolouration observed during the 2026 late summer geosmin event suggested that source-water conditions were the primary factor.

At the time of the event, unlined cast iron water mains, some more than 100 years old, represented approximately 24% of Prince Albert's 213.7 kilometres of water distribution piping. These pipes can develop internal corrosion and rust buildup, known as tuberculation, which may be disturbed by changes in water flow and release sediment that can cause red, yellow, or brown discolouration.

However, because discolouration reports were received from multiple areas across the city rather than isolated neighbourhoods, it was difficult to attribute the issue to specific sections of aging water main.

As part of its response, the City undertook hydraulic flushing in targeted areas of the distribution system. Hydraulic flushing helps remove accumulated sediment from water mains, improves water circulation, and supports overall water quality within the distribution network.

  • Run the cold water tap for approximately 10 to 15 minutes, or until the water runs clear.

  • If discolouration is only present in hot water: Run the cold water for a few minutes. If the cold water is clear but the hot water remains discoloured, the issue may be related to your hot-water tank or plumbing. Contact a qualified plumber or your building/property manager for further assessment.

  • If the water does not clear after running the cold water, contact the City. Use the keyword Water Condition

 

 

Drinking Water Advisories are not issued solely on the basis of aesthetic concerns such as taste, odour, or colour.

An advisory would be considered if water quality monitoring indicated a potential risk to public health, including microbiological contamination, inadequate disinfection, treatment failures, or any parameter exceeding health-based regulatory standards.

As long as testing confirms the water continues to meet all provincial and federal drinking water health requirements, taste, odour, and appearance issues alone would not typically warrant a Drinking Water Advisory.

2025 Annual Notice to Consumers

2024 Annual Notice to Consumers

2023 Annual Notice to Consumers

2022 Annual Notice to Consumers

2021 Annual Notice to Consumers

2020 Annual Notice to Consumers

2019 Annual Notice to Consumers

2018 Annual Notice to Consumers

2017 Annual Notice to Consumers

2016 Annual Notice to Consumers

2015 Annual Notice to Consumers

 

The following information required pursuant to section 22.5 of the Cities Regulations is available for inspection at City Hall during regular office hours:

  • Waterworks rate policy and capital investment strategy
  • Waterworks financial overview 
  • Current reserves
  • Most recent waterworks independent engineering assessment
  • Capital plans for waterworks infrastructure projects and sources of funding

Please contact Financial Services at 306-953-4350 if you would like to view this information; it is also available online in the Annual Report.

From River to Tap: How Prince Albert Treats Your Drinking Water

 

 

 

Report a Water Quality Concern Here

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City of Prince Albert
1084 Central Avenue
Prince Albert, SK S6V 7P3
Phone: 306-953-4884
After Hours Emergency: 306-953-4348
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