By Todd Wineburner

Officials with Illinois American Water say an odd smell in Pontiac's water is harmless and temporary. According to company spokesperson Karen Cotton, the smell is the product of high ammonia levels in the Vermilion River brought about by melting ice and snow. Cotton says it's a common situation that affects the odor of the area's drinking water, but not its safety. She says Illinois American employees are adjusting the water treatment processes to get the smell under control and that the entire system should be purged over the next few days and everything should be back to normal.