Does Your Water Smell Bad?

Many homeowners don't think much about their water until something seems off. Maybe it has a chlorine taste, a metallic flavor, an unpleasant odor, or leaves stains and buildup around the home. While many public water supplies meet federal drinking water standards, water can still contain minerals, disinfectants, sediment, or other naturally occurring substances that affect its taste, smell, appearance, or overall quality. Homes with private wells may face additional water quality challenges depending on local groundwater conditions.

Because of these concerns, many families turn to bottled water. While it can seem like a convenient solution, the cost can add up quickly, and many bottled water brands are simply purified municipal water. Instead of purchasing bottled water indefinitely, many homeowners choose to improve the quality of the water they already have. A professional water test can identify what's in your water and help determine whether a reverse osmosis drinking water system, whole-home filtration system, water softener, or another treatment solution is the best fit for your home.

The first step toward better water is understanding your specific water conditions. Changes in taste, odor, color, or staining can point to common issues such as chlorine, hard water minerals, iron, sulfur, sediment, or elevated total dissolved solids (TDS). Because every home's water is different, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Working with a qualified water treatment professional ensures your water is properly analyzed so the right treatment system can be recommended. With the right solution in place, you can enjoy better-tasting water, protect your plumbing and appliances, and have greater confidence in the water you use every day.

If Your Water Has

An Odd Taste Or Smell, Have It Tested.

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Common Tastes and Odors in Water

“Rotten Egg” Smell in Water

If there is a rotten egg or sulfur smell in your water, the most likely cause is hydrogen sulfide gas. Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless, corrosive gas from decaying plant material that occurs naturally in some groundwater. It is also often present in wells drilled in shale or sandstone, near coal deposits or oil fields. Sulfur-reducing bacteria, which flourishes in hot water, can also change natural sulfates in water to hydrogen sulfide, causing the classic “rotten egg” odor. Hydrogen sulfide can affect the taste of food and beverages. If the concentration of hydrogen sulfide is high enough, it can also leave that rotten egg odor on hair and clothing washed in the water and can accelerate the corrosion of metal parts in appliances. If you suspect your water contains hydrogen sulfide, contact a water professional for a water test.

Solutions for Rotten Egg Smell:

Metallic taste and odor

Water that tastes like metal can indicate the presence of iron, copper, manganese, zinc or other metals. Naturally occurring in groundwater, iron and manganese can affect the taste and odor of water as well as cause stains on things the water contacts.

Copper and zinc in water can be from an aging water distribution system or the corrosion of copper plumbing and brass fittings in your home. If you notice a metallic smell or taste to your water, it could contain copper or zinc. Though not harmful in trace amounts, large quantities of both zinc and copper can be harmful to humans.

Solutions for Metal Taste in Water

Earthy or musty taste and odor

Sometimes people with well water or water from surface water supplies say their water has an earthy or musty taste or odor. This could be the result of decayed vegetation and other organic matter and are typically associated with different forms of algae. While the smells and odors are not toxic, they are unpleasant and can be offensive at very low concentrations. A water test will help determine what is causing the bad tastes and odors, and the appropriate water treatment equipment can be installed to solve the problem.

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Solutions for Earthy or Musty Water:

Chlorine or bleach smell in Water

Another common complaint is water that smells and tastes of chlorine or bleach. This is typically found in city water supplies or where chlorine is used to disinfect a water supply. Many object to the smell of chlorine when showering, and chlorine can greatly affect the taste and smell of drinking water and foods and drinks made with water. Although chlorine is needed to disinfect water, and it should remain in the water when it travels through the distribution system, once it is in your home, the chlorine is no longer needed.

Learn more about Chlorine in Water

Chlorine in Water

Solutions for Chlorine Smell:

Water quality can vary from home to home, neighborhood to neighborhood and region to region. Many things can cause water to smell and/or taste bad. To fully understand what is going on with the water in your home, schedule a water test. Once you know the causes, you can determine the best water treatment plan of action.