What To Do When You Notice a Bad Taste in Your Water
It’s important to have access to clean and healthy water in your home, so it can be alarming and unpleasant if you notice a sudden bad taste in your water supply. If your water has started to taste off, you’ll need to figure out the underlying to take the necessary action to ensure you have clean drinking water.
In this blog post, the plumbing experts at Iceberg Home Services cover the common causes of bad-tasting water, immediate steps you can take to resolve the issue, and long-term solutions to address the problem and mitigate the risk of recurrence.
Common Causes of Bad-Tasting Water
Water can have a variety of bad tastes for many different reasons, the most common of which are:
Metallic Taste
A metallic taste in your water is often due to high levels of iron, manganese, or zinc. This can often be caused by corroding pipes or the natural presence of these minerals in your water source.
Chlorine Taste
Chlorine is a common disinfectant used in municipal water treatment facilities. While effective at killing bacteria, this substance can leave a noticeable chlorine taste and odor, especially if the levels are higher than usual.
Sulfuric Taste
If your water tastes like sulfur or rotten eggs, this is usually attributable to the presence of hydrogen sulfide gas. This can result from natural organic matter decomposing in the water source or bacterial activity in your plumbing system.
Salty Taste
When your water tastes salty, it often points to high levels of sodium or chloride in your water supply. This can be caused by seawater intrusion, which can be common in Florida’s coastal regions; however, this issue may also be caused by runoff from road salts or issues with your water softener system.
Immediate Actions To Take
If you’re concerned about the taste of your water supply, there are some immediate steps you can take to ensure your safety before you can address the underlying cause of the water issues. Consider doing the following:
Buy Bottled Water
Making the switch to bottled water is a quick, safe alternative you can try until you’re able to address the root cause of the foul taste in your tap water.
Boil Your Water
Boiling water can help kill bacteria and eliminate some contaminants, making it safer to drink; however, this may not eliminate all types of bad tastes.
Water Filter Pitcher
A water filter pitcher can help minimize some contaminants and improve the taste of your water. This is a convenient temporary solution while you investigate the underlying cause of the problem.
Long-Term Solutions to Bad-Tasting Water
While the aforementioned options might provide temporary relief, more permanent solutions require additional strategies, such as:
Water Quality Testing
A comprehensive water quality test can identify the specific contaminants causing the bad taste. This information is important for selecting the appropriate treatment method. You can hire a professional or use an at-home water testing kit.
Water Filtration Systems
Installing a whole-house water filtration system can effectively remove various contaminants from your water supply, improving taste and overall water quality. Depending on your needs, you might choose an activated carbon filter, reverse osmosis system, or another type of water filtration solution.
Using Water Softeners
If your water has a high mineral content causing a metallic or salty taste, installing a water softener can help. Water softeners work by exchanging calcium and magnesium ions with sodium or potassium ions, reducing the hardness of your water.
Regular Plumbing Maintenance
Old or corroded pipes can contribute to bad-tasting water. By regularly maintaining and replacing aging plumbing infrastructure, you can prevent contaminants from leaching into your water supply and changing its taste.
Address Specific Contaminants
If your water test reveals specific contaminants, such as hydrogen sulfide or high chlorine levels, targeted treatments like aeration, chlorination, or dichlorination systems can be implemented to address these issues.
Call Iceberg Home Services for Water Quality Solutions
Noticing a bad taste in your water is a clear sign that something may be wrong with your water supply. At Iceberg Home Services, we are committed to preserving the safety of your water supply. Offering 24/7 emergency same-day services and a wide range of water treatment solutions, we’ll get to the heart of your water quality issues to ensure lasting potability for your water supply.
Schedule water treatment services in Central Florida by contacting our team today!
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