When your water tastes or smells funny, the problem might be in the water or it might not!

 

You see, odors may actually be coming from your sink drain where bacteria grow on hair, soap, food and other things that get trapped. Gases in the drain that smell get stirred up when water pours into the pipe. Odor can also come from bacteria growing in water heaters-usually ones that have been turned off for a while or have the thermostat set too low.

 

The list below tells where many odd tastes and smells come from and how to get rid of them.

 

Chlorine (or bleach)

Chlorine is added to tap water to make sure that any harmful germs in the water are killed. When you can taste or smell a bit of chlorine, your water has been properly treated. There are regulations that limit the amount of chlorine added to tap water so that is keeps the water safe to drink.

 

An easy way to get rid of the chlorine taste and smell is to let water sit in a glass for a few minutes. Then, put the water in a covered container and chill it in the refrigerator. Cold water tastes and smells better than water at room temperature.

 

Earthy or musty

Algae, which are plants that live in rivers, lakes, reservoirs and other bodies of water, naturally make substances that can give your water an earthy or musty smell. Another reason your water may seem to have this smell is because of bacteria that can grow in your drain when things like hair, soap and food get trapped.

 

Rotten eggs or sulfur

This smell can occur when the source of the water is underground. The smell is from a chemical made by a bacteria and is not harmful in the small amounts found in water. The same smell can also be made by bacteria that grow on hair, soap and food in your drain.

 

Petroleum, gasoline, turpentine, fuel or solvent odors are rare and potentially serious. It is possible a leaking underground storage tank may be near your water supply. Do not use the water. Immediately contact your water utility or local health agency.

 

*Used by permission from Metropolitan Water District of Southern California