An Upstate utility promised to learn from past mistakes. Spartanburg Water is combating an increased algae problem in a big source of drinking water. According to Spartanburg Water, Reservoir 1, sandwiched between Lake Blaylock and Lake Bowen, accounts for the drinking water of about 180,000 customers.

Drinking water treatment manager Ken Tuck said people use about 25-30 million gallons of water from Reservoir 1 every day. Tuck said a hot, dry summer contributed to the growth of blue-green algae called MIB.

"MIB just imparts an earthy, musty taste or odor to the water,” Tuck said. “There are not health effects from it, but it certainly can cause aesthetic issues related to taste and odor.”

Kenne Edwards has noticed the changes to the water with the reservoir being in her backyard. She said she trusts the drinking water, but other residents have questioned the safety of the water. Spartanburg Water maintains that the water, when treated, is fine to drink.

"We employ the best technology, the best resources, the best consultants we can find that are subject matter experts in this," Tuck said. "We want to invest in that because our investment in water quality is an investment in our community.”

Spartanburg Water has created some worry in the past with the way it manages the three lakes. The utility asked homeowners to stop developing past a certain contour line to protect the water source. Patrols have also been stepped up on the water to make sure people are not using certain parts of the lakes.

“Property owners who aren’t even on the lake can hear the boat as they go through," Edwards said. "They’re making so much noise. It’s very nice to have [the reservoir] here, but you can’t do anything. You can’t use it."

To treat the algae problem, Spartanburg Water has tried lowering the lake levels and using a chemical called Current. The chemical ended up killing thousands of fish. Tuck said the utility has done more research and consulted with the Department of Health and Environmental Control and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. SCDNR said Spartanburg Water notified them that it was treating the water five days in advance.

Spartanburg Water will use a hydrogen-peroxide based chemical, which will emit oxygen into the water.

Edwards said she wanted Spartanburg Water to learn from past mistakes to protect the source of drinking water to thousands of people.

"They’re in charge of our drinking water supply," Edwards said. "They better know what they’re doing, because they can do great harm to a big number of people if they don’t do it properly.”