Some Calif. Residents Complain About Tap Water

East Bay Municipal Utility District officials said Wednesday that local water is safe to drink, despite having a strange taste and odor.

District officials in the Oakland, Calif. Municipality responded to about 50 complaints from customers in the Oakland, Berkeley and Alameda areas, where people said there was a strong chemical smell and taste to the water.

The water quality issues are believed to be related to changes in the operation of the Claremont Tunnel, which brings water from Orinda into the Oakland and Berkeley areas.

According to the district, the temporary changes were made in preparation for some upcoming seismic retrofit work.

Though the water is not believed to pose a health risk, the district's Web site recommends not drinking water that "tastes or smells funny."

Source: KPIX/KCBS