How To Get Rid Of Common Odors In Tap Water

A glass of cold, crisp water is the best way to quench your thirst. There is nothing worse than drinking water that smells like rotten eggs, or a swimming pool. Clean water should not be odorous, tasteless, or colorless. If yours is causing you to hold your nose while drinking, it could spell trouble.

Although odors in water are not usually a danger to your health, they could indicate that there may be dangerous contaminants in your water supply. We also think that if tap water smells bad, it might taste foul.

You can read on to learn more about the possible causes of water contamination and how you can test it for them. We will also discuss the best ways to remove unwanted tastes and odors from your tap water.

What Makes Water Smell?

The water source can have a significant impact on the smell of water. Water from a municipal water source can have a different smell than water from a private well.

Municipal Water

Unpleasant odors found in municipal water are often a result:

  1. You have something in your home that is causing problems (e.g. chemical reactions in your hot water heater tank or bacteria buildup in your pipes). );
  2. Waterborne pollutants (lead and copper, among others) can be picked up along the way to your home.
  3. Water treatment facilities may add chlorine or chloramine to the water.

Although many water utilities do their best to eliminate odors and tastes from the water before it reaches your pipes. As you will see, there are some smells that can remain.

Well Water

Well, water is also prone to a handful of different odors, mainly because the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and perhaps other federal or local agencies can cause strong chlorine odors.

Why Your Tap Water Smells Like Rotten Eggs

Tap water containing hydrogen sulfur gas generally has a rotten egg smell. Hydrogen sulfide can be found naturally in groundwater. However, it can also be created by bacteria in the groundwater or water distribution system.

This odor could also be caused by components in your water heater. Water heaters may come with a magnesium rod to protect against corrosion. In most cases, hydrogen sulfide gas is produced when the water’s natural sulfurates react with the magnesium. The gas is somewhat soluble in water so once the hot water tap is turned on, some gas will escape into the atmosphere. This can give off a strong, unpleasant odor. This problem can get worse if the water heater isn’t used frequently or is operating at a low temperature. Hydrogen sulfide gas can build up faster if your water heater is not used regularly.

Why Does Your Tap Water Smell Like Sewage

Your tap water may smell like sewage if it is leaking from your pipes and sink. The heavy gas can be created by bacteria from food, hair, soaps, or any other organic matter. The gas is released by the water when the faucet is turned on, making the water smell like it’s actually smelling. If the water is stale, it could be due to bacteria buildup in your water heater or in the water source.

The natural groundwater chemistry of your well water may encourage bacteria growth. A faulty or poorly placed septic system could also be located near your well. This can lead to bacteria and other pathogens leaching into the system.

Why Does Your Tap Water Smell Metallic

Copper, iron, manganese, and copper can be released into water supplies by corroded pipes or plumbing fixtures. This causes a metallic smell. Well, water can often have a metallic odor, particularly if it is cloudy, has a tint of color or appears reddish, or has other rusty-looking colors. Low pH can also cause a metallic taste in tap water. Low pH water, also known as soft water, is more acidic. This means that water with a low pH, or soft water, can leach metals from copper and iron pipes into the water. The water may smell like metal.

Why Is Your Tap Water Stale

An excessive amount of organic compounds, such as barium and cadmium, in your water, can cause a fishy odor. Barium is found naturally in mineral ores. It can seep into groundwater from drilling or manufacturing. Cadmium, which is a chemical that can be found in copper and lead ores, can often seep into pipes due to fertilizer contamination or industrial runoff. Algal blooms can form in lakes and reservoirs during summer. Algae particles can seep into drinking water depending on where it comes from. This could cause a fishy, mildewy, or musty odor.

How Can I Get Rid Of Odors From Tap Water?

Springwell can help if your water test reveals that there are contaminants in the water. Springwell offers two types of water treatment options: whole-house systems that treat water as it enters your house, and single-tap systems that treat water right where it is used (think kitchen sink).

Single-source systems are easy to install at specific taps in your house, giving you control and access to your water quality. Both under-sink and countertop filters can be easily installed to filter out sediment, heavy metals, and chlorine chemicals for better-smelling water.

This post was written by a water treatment expert at Paragon Water Systems. At Paragon Water Systems we are the Manufacturers of the best hi flow water filter! We know that the best product comes from the best materials. We manufacture home water solutions such as reverse osmosis systems, under sink water filtration systems, showerhead filtration systems, carbon cartridges, and a wide variety of other products. Our focus is to provide Americans with safe and clean water throughout the home.

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