CAYCE (WACH) -- City leaders in Cayce are telling water customers that the water is completely safe to drink, despite many reports of an "earthy" taste.

“We test water all day long as part of our water treatment program,” Cayce Utilities Director Frank Robinson explained. “In every test, we have met all of our levels for quality and safety.”

The city of Cayce chose to switch from a water intake located at the Congaree River to the city's reservoir after getting word from the Department of Health and Environmental Control about a sewage spill upstream from the intake. 

Officials say the reservoir contained algae, which gave the water a different taste and smell, but is still safe for consumption.  They say the algae

 was most likely prompted by the extreme summer heat.

After the river water tested safe, the city switched back to the intake.  Officials say only one of the reservoirs still has an odor and they're working on a way to keep the algae from growing in the tanks.

“The water issues are getting better quickly, based on the samples we are taking. Only one of our water tanks still have any odor or taste; the others have blended out,” Robinson said. “It is just a matter of time before our water is back to normal.”