It's slimy, green and some say it's causing the water to taste yucky.

Consumers Pennsylvania Water Co. Shenango Valley Division is blaming an unseasonal algae bloom at Pymatuning Reservoir for giving its water a musty taste or odor. Warm weather and lack of precipitation have boosted algae growth, said Ken Baumann, vice president of the water company.

"This is a natural compound and it poses no health threat,'' Baumann said.

The utility has been getting two to three phone calls a day from its 80,000 customers in Mercer, Lawrence and Trumbull counties complaining about the taste, Buamann said.

"But yet, when I talk to other people about it, they don't taste or smell a difference,'' Baumann said. "All of us have different sensitivity levels.''

Water companies along the Shenango River. which is fed by the reservoir, are having similar problems, Baumann said.

"It seems the closer you are to the reservoir the more problems you have,'' he added.

William Brady, superintendent of the Greenville Water Authority, said the authority has experienced similar problems with the water smelling and tasting "earthy." Brady said the authority is still sampling and testing the water but he too believes low water levels and low precipitation have promoted algae growth.

Chemical treatment has "greatly reduced" the taste and odor problems, Brady said. He stressed that the problems are merely aesthetic and do not pose a health risk to anyone.

Customers of Pennsylvania American Water Company in New Castle have also been experiencing the change of taste and odor in their water, said Marianne Kelly, communications manager of the water company.

Ms. Kelly also attributed the changes to the warm winter and changes in the Shenango River. She said they are treating the water with activated carbon and the condition is only temporary.

Trace amounts of algae ranging from 10 parts to 35 parts per trillion are being found in the river. One part per trillion is equal to about one inch in 16 million miles. But tests have shown algae in the reservoir has hit 120 parts per trillion, Baumann said.

"Clearly, it's coming from the reservoir.''

To combat the algae Consumers is treating the water with powdered carbon compounds that absorb the organic material and are removed later in the treatment process. Normally, carbon isn't added to the water and it's costing the utility an extra $1,000 a day.

Adjusting the treatment seems to be helping, Baumann said. But the best therapy will come from mother nature, he said.

"Rain will help,'' Baumann said. "I'm hoping to get rain in the next few weeks.''

The Herald was not able to contact water plants in Sharpsville and Jamestown this morning.