Final answer:
The most damaging effect of taste and odor problems for a water utility is Customer complaints, which can lead to a loss of trust and potentially indicate underlying health risks or lead to legal challenges.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most damaging effect of taste and odor problems for a water utility is likely to be Customer complaints. While increased costs, health risks, and legal issues can also arise from problems with water quality, customer complaints are often the most immediate and widespread consequence. These complaints can damage the utility's reputation and cause a significant loss of trust among consumers. When water has unpleasant taste or odor, even if it isn't harmful to health, consumers are less likely to use it, leading to a direct impact on the utility's operations.
Furthermore, bad taste and odors can sometimes be indicators of underlying health risks, which, if proven to be a result of contaminants, could lead to serious legal challenges and the need for costly remediation. Public concern about water pollution and water supply is high, indicating that any perception of compromised water quality is a significant issue for consumers who expect safe and clean drinking water from their utilities.