‘I’ve been drinking dirt’: Reason water in south east tastes earthy

If your water has tasted weird, you are not alone. But south east Queenslanders have been assured their water is safe to drink despite reports of an unusually earthy tang.

South east Queenslanders have been assured their water is safe to drink despite residents reporting an unusually earthy taste.

Recent weather conditions, including rainfall followed by warm temperatures, are to blame according to Seqwater which confirmed the temporary changes to tap water.

People across the region have taken to social media to express their disapproval.

Tik Tok user Lachlan Crane has garnered 43,700 likes for his video reaction to the taste.

“Earthy taste … I’ve been drinking dirt,” another resident posted to social media.

Others said they had been wondering about the taste and were worried about their pipes.

Seqwater in a statement said the different taste was actually due to an increase in naturally occurring, organic compounds in the raw water supply entering the Mount Crosby Water Treatment Plant.

Tik Tok user Lachlan Crane has garnered 43,700 likes for his video reaction to the taste of Brisbane water.

The compounds, known as MIB and Geosmin are naturally occurring and are safe to drink but can cause an earthy taste or smell in water.

“These compounds usually exist in low numbers, but recent weather conditions, including rainfall followed by warm temperatures, high levels of sunlight, and calm waters, have increased their levels,” the statement said.

“Both MIB and Geosmin are safe to drink and are not harmful.”

Seqwater said it was taking steps to reduce the change as much as possible, by moving water around the grid and making additional releases from Wivenhoe Dam.

“The additional releases being made from Wivenhoe Dam are minor and flowing downstream to the Mount Crosby Water Treatment Plant, to help ‘turnover’ the raw water and lower the compound levels,” the statement said.

“The water will return to its usual taste and odour however it may take a few weeks, depending on weather conditions.

“Cooling the water may reduce any earthy taste in the tap water, while adding a slice of lemon or other fruit can also help.”

Seqwater said the event is a rare occurrence.