The Meaning of Strange Tastes and Smells in Your Water
Water that’s clean doesn’t have a noticeable taste or smell. The presence of one or both is a sign that there’s trouble somewhere in your freshwater line. The problem may originate in your water filtration system, if you have one. It could also come from a faulty water heater or septic tank. If you’re connected to a municipal sewer system, something may have gone wrong there or gone wrong at the water treatment plant. Whatever the problem is, call your plumber to find the cause. Here are some odd odors and tastes and what they may mean.
Rotten Egg Smell
The famous rotten egg smell comes from hydrogen sulfide gas. You’ll usually notice this from your hot water tap. Your water filtration system, specifically reverse osmosis, should be able to handle removing the sulfates if they’re not too concentrated. Otherwise, an RO system may need help from an activated charcoal filter to really get rid of all of it. A rotten egg smell can originate at your water company, your water heater, or a broken septic tank. It can also come from bacteria trapped in your water filtration system itself. Call your plumber if you smell rotten eggs coming out of your faucet.
Salty Taste
If your water tastes really salty, it may be the result of sodium chloride in your groundwater. This can happen because you live close to the beach or you simply have naturally salty groundwater. Interestingly, a water softener, which exchanges sodium ions for the calcium and magnesium ions that cause hard water, shouldn’t make your water taste overly salty. If it does, the water softener may be malfunctioning.
Taste of Metal
Water that tastes of metal often gets that taste from corroding iron or copper pipes. Though the taste is off-putting, it is typically not dangerous to health. A reverse osmosis system usually removes metallic tastes and smells. Again, it’s even more effective when it’s used with activated charcoal. Better yet, RO removes lead, which has neither taste nor smell.
Bleach-like Odor
Chlorine is often used to disinfect drinking or pool water. If your water smells of bleach and has a bad taste, it’s probably a result of water treatment. If the smell and taste are really overpowering and you get your water from the water company, call them. If you’ve just shocked your well, get in touch with your plumber.
Funny odors and off-tastes may be signs that something’s wrong with your water treatment system. If you need service, don’t wait to call our water treatment experts at Aaalways Plumbing & Drains of Spring Texas.