Cape Town’s severely depleting water situation is on the radar yet again, and more recently, the quality of the city’s drinking water has been a cause for concern.

Reports of smelly water surfaced two weeks ago and it has since been discovered that the city has been experiencing high levels of geosmin from the Theewaterskloof Dam.

Geosmin is a naturally occurring organic compound. The city said that while the water has an earthy smell which may concern residents, it does not poses a threat to human health.

In a statement published by the City of Cape Town, it said it was continuing to add powdered activated carbon dosing during the water treatment process in an attempt to absorb this compound and to reduce the unpleasant spell and taste as far as possible.

“This situation is likely to persist until the onset of the winter rains,” it added.

Geosmin can be detected by the incredibly sensitive human palate, even in very small quantities, the city explained. “Water quality is closely monitored via a large number of water samples analysed according to the stringent South African National Standards requirements,” the city added.

However residents consuming the water said they have been experiencing stomach discomfort and have resorted to buying water for drinking.