By Dennis Box-The Courier-Herald

A study of the water coming from the two Ball Park Wells told basically the same story the city has been telling for the past two years - taste is on the tongue of the drinker.

The city asked the engineering firm RH2 to evaluate the quality of the water coming from the Ball Park Wells treatment plant, which the company designed.

Prior to the treatment plant, well No. 1 produced water with high amounts of iron and manganese, which tasted bad, had an awful smell and stained everything. Despite those problems, the Pierce County Health Department reported the water was safe to drink, but unappetizing.

The city spent about $2 million building the treatment plant, which was completed and went online in June 2005.

Since the treatment plant was built the brown color has cleared, but some residents continue to complain about the taste and smell. Also, the water is at times cloudy when it comes from a tap.

The two Ball Park wells usually only go online in the late spring and summer when the demand for water increases.

Don Sangesand, a local resident, said the water at his house with the treatment plant offline is &#8220acceptable and I would be happy with it, although it is not great water.”

The problem for Sangesand is when the wells are turned online later in the year &#8220there is bad smell and the taste. What I wanted to hear is, what is the city going to do about it?”

Geoff Dillard from RH2 made a presentation during a Jan. 16 City Council workshop.

&#8220The treatment plant is removing iron and manganese and eliminating the staining,” Dillard said.

RH2 was asked to find the cause of complaints of the odor and taste. According to Dillard, when compared to other city sources, Ball Park water &#8220came in better than Victor Falls and Grainger Springs.”

Dillard also pointed to a white water problem, or a cloudy appearance, caused by excess nitrogen in the water. If the water is sits for a period of time the nitrogen dissipates and the water clears.

John Ryding from the Department of Health said the water from the treatment plant is safe and the nitrogen does not pose a health threat, although residents may still object to the appearance of cloudy water.

Sangesand said the city should either &#8220say they are not going to do anything or shut it down (the treatment plant).”

Councilman Mark Hamilton said, &#8220I never believed the water coming out of the Ball Park Well was unsafe, but I have had citizens come up to me and ask, ‘Why is my water different in the summer?' It is our duty to make sure the water is the highest quality possible.”

The council decided to consider sending a survey to residents asking about the quality of the water.

Councilman Dave King said he disputed the complaints were widespread.

&#8220(The survey) could give a meaningful amount of data, but very subjective. I'm not sure a survey would solve the problem.”

According to City Administrator Don Morrison, the city did not pay for the RH2 evaluation, since the firm designed the plant and was able to do the study without additional charges.

Dennis Box can be reached at dbox@courierherald.com.