As a rule of thumb, water should not have a smell or taste. Instead, it should be pure, refreshing, and enjoyable to drink. So what happens if you have water with a bad taste or smell? Is it a reason to be worried? What are some of the causes of bad-tasting or smelling water?
A Chlorine-like Bad Taste or Smell
Most homeowners know that well water and city water taste different. One of those reasons is because of treatment methods. Municipalities treat their water supply with chlorine to help kill harmful bacteria and other microorganisms such as parasites. Water technicians will carefully monitor levels to ensure that it’s not over-treated.
Those used to well water will quickly recognize that chlorine-like taste or smell. And for city residents, the water between your town and the one next to it will often taste different.
Generally speaking, however, this is not a cause for concern. Nevertheless, one solution to eliminate this is a Reverse Osmosis system. It uses an activated carbon filter and is one of the key methods to eliminate the bad taste or smell in your water from chlorine.
Would you like to learn more about adding a Reverse Osmosis system to your home? Then contact us to get started!
Water That Smells Like Rotten Eggs
The smell of rotten eggs is very distinctive, possibly one of the most distinctive in our food chain. When the protein breaks down in an egg, it releases hydrogen sulfide and cysteine. Both are strong in sulfur at the molecular level.
Sulfur is incredibly unpleasant to smell, which is why it’s so easy to pick out in what should be a pure substance: water. This is a common headache in older homes with an older well. But, it doesn’t necessarily mean the water is unsafe to drink. Only a water test can determine if your water contains harmful microorganisms.
Instead of just dealing with it, consider installing a whole-home water purification system. This treatment solution can quickly and easily eliminate this problem for you.
Water That Tastes Salty
If your home’s water has a distinctively salty taste, there are two probable causes. The first is that water from the ocean is making its way into your water supply. While we may enjoy the ocean when visiting our beautiful Florida beaches, it’s not something we want to drink. A whole-home purification system can help eliminate this.
A less likely, but not unheard of, problem is that your water softener settings need to be adjusted relative to your level of hard water. If they’re set too high, it can occasionally create a salty taste (not to mention, cost you more money by using too much softener salt).
Water That Has A Metallic Taste
There are natural, invisible minerals in your water. Some of those include iron and manganese. However, if there is too much of these in your supply, it can create water that has a strong metallic taste. A water test can help identify which mineral is the culprit and what type of filtration system would be the most effective at eliminating this bad taste.
Other Odors, Such As Sewage
Lastly, there are times that you notice other unpleasant odors in your water, such as sewage. This can be because of rotten or decaying organic debris that somehow made its way into your supply via cross-contamination. However, it can also be caused by a bad water heater, especially if it has bacteria growing in the tank.
We’re Here To Help With Any Type of Bad Taste or Smell in Your Water
Our solutions have provided Polk and Hillsborough County-area residents with clean, pure drinking water for over 30 years. If you’re experiencing any of the above bad tastes or smells in your water, contact us for a free in-home water test. Send us a message here to get started!
