Why does Edmonton's water stink in the spring?

Does your water smell like the city dumped a huge vat of chlorine into it?

That's typical this time of year. All the mold and decaying plant matter is running off into our treatment plants with the spring melt.

When chlorine reacts with (and cleans) biological matter, it creates chloramine, which is what gives off that classic "pool" smell.

When it stinks, you know it's working!

P.S. yes, that does mean people are definitely peeing in the pool.