Does Your Water Smell Bad?

Pure water is colorless, tasteless, odourless, and free from any and all contaminants. But water is rarely found in its pure state. In fact, water that smells or tastes funny is a primary reason people turn to bottled water, which is expensive for you and taxing on the environment. Millions of barrels of oil are used each year to produce and transport bottled water, and billions of plastic bottles are added to our landfills. Plus, bottled water is simply filtered tap water, in many cases. Instead of dealing with the expense, inconvenience and guilt that come with buying bottled water, get your water tested, and install the appropriate water treatment system for clean and refreshing water right in your home.

The first step to better water is to find out what might be wrong with your water. Water that tastes or smells bad could be an indication that it contains one or more contaminants. The good news is that there are many water treatment options available to solve a variety of water problems. Rather than trying to figure out the best solution on your own, contact a water treatment expert to have your water tested and help you decide what is best for you.

Curious About An Unusual Taste Or Odor? Schedule A Free Water Test Today!

Common Tastes and Odours 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” odour. 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 odour 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 odour

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 odour 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 odour

Sometimes people with well water or water from surface water supplies say their water has an earthy or musty taste or odour. 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 odours 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 odours, and the appropriate water treatment equipment can be installed to solve the problem.

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

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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.

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