Bad smelling, tasting water returns for EBMUD customers

SAN RAMON, Calif. (KGO) -- Starting Sunday, that bad smelling and tasting water in the East Bay will be back.

East Bay Municipal Utility District, or EBMUD, is changing the source of its drinking water. It is trying to stretch supplies from Pardee Reservoir, which is below average because of the drought.

By law, some of it must be set aside to protect salmon. That means moving farther up the reservoir for the drinking water supply, which has more algae in it.

"It's not ideal, but it's related to the drought, but the alternative would be not having enough water next year or the following year if this continues," explained Abby Figueroa with EBMUD.

The water also tasted funny in March, but officials are planning to change-over more slowly this time, hoping to give people more time to adjust.

For full coverage on the drought, click here.