Regina and Moose Jaw Tap Water Safe Despite Unusual Taste and Odour: Improvements Underway

Many citizens in Regina and Moose Jaw are noticing that their tap water has an unusual taste and odour but it is safe to drink and meets all regulatory drinking water requirements.

Buffalo Pound Lake is the source water for Regina’s and Moose Jaw’s drinking water and is currently experiencing its usual annual algae bloom which is causing the high levels of taste and odours. The plant is currently using powdered activated carbon in its process to decrease the intensity of taste and odour but it does have limited effectiveness. The construction team, programmers, and plant staff are working diligently to get the new and complex deep bed carbon filter system in service within the next month. When the carbon filters are commissioned and put on-line, the taste and odour will no longer occur.

The BPWTP is currently undergoing a $325M renewal and construction will be completed in early 2026. The renewal includes additional process improvements in addition to the deep bed carbon filters that will provide taste and odour removal year-round. The BPWTC asks that the citizens of Regina and Moose Jaw be patient as the new processes will soon provide year-round removal of taste and odours from their drinking water.