A Message from the City’s Water Division – Newburyport
February 18, 2026February 18, 2026
A Message from the City’s Water Division
The taste and odor some residents are noticing are related to natural conditions in the reservoirs, especially during periods of ice cover and seasonal changes in the water. These events can cause naturally occurring compounds in the water to become more noticeable. While the taste and smell may be unpleasant, this is strictly an aesthetic issue and does not pose any health risk.
The only effective way to remove this type of taste and odor is through Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) filtration. The current treatment facility does not include GAC, but the new treatment plant will have GAC built into its filtration system.
The City’s Water Division continues to closely monitor water quality leaving the treatment plant to ensure it meets all state and federal drinking water standards.
