Tastes & Odors

In its pristine state, water is colorless, tasteless, and odorless. Water that smells or tastes funny is the primary reason people turn to bottled water, which is expensive for you and harmful to the environment—millions of barrels of oil are used each year to produce and transport it. Billions of plastic bottles are added to our landfills. So, if your water tastes or smells strange, you owe it to yourself to discover why.

  • Earthy or musty taste and odor: These complaints are generally the result of compounds released due to decayed vegetation and are typically associated with different forms of algae. They are most prevalent in supplies that use surface water as their supply. While not toxic, they are unpleasant and can be offensive at very low concentrations.
  • “Rotten egg” smell: Another common source of smelly water is hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless corrosive gas with the odor of rotten eggs. It is most commonly found in groundwater supplies and often is noticed coming from hot water tanks. It can occur naturally from deep in the ground or produced by sulfate-reducing bacteria. It can affect the taste of food and beverages, making them unpalatable. If present in high enough concentrations, it can leave an unpleasant odor on hair and clothing. It can also accelerate the corrosion of metal parts in appliances. Because it is a gas, it usually has to be tested onsite.
  • Metallic taste: As the name implies, a metallic taste in your water indicates the presence of metals such as iron, copper, manganese, or zinc. Iron and manganese are often naturally occurring and are predominantly found in groundwater. Copper and zinc can come from an aging water distribution system or the corrosion of copper plumbing and brass fittings.
Water Tastes and Odors
Water Tastes and Odors