What Can Cause Your Water to Taste or Smell Different

From time to time, certain natural processes – or even infrastructure within a customer’s home – may cause temporary changes to the tastes or smell of your water. Below you’ll find the kinds of possible changes and why they can occur.

Earthy taste

• You may have a garden hose connected to an outside spigot.
• If you have a water softener or whole house filter, it may need service.
• Possible lake turnover: a temperature-driven process that allows mixing of water layers and replenishment of oxygen and nutrients
• Algae bloom

Metallic taste

• Certain medications can produce this effect. You may wish to consult with your doctor.

Sulphur taste

• Some medications are sulphur-based, which may cause this.
• Your property may have a cross-connection.

Chlorine smell

• May be caused by a lack of chlorine residual (less than 0.5 parts per million) in the water
• Large diameter water lines with little turnover may require more flushing. CUD can flush the main line to restore chlorine residual to normal levels.
• Utilities are required to maintain a 0.2 ppm chlorine residual throughout the distribution system per regulation by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.

Sulphur smell

• Drain trap dries up
• Water softener needs servicing
• Water heater temperature is set too low and/or the anode rod is deteriorating
• Maintenance is needed on sewer lines

Musty/old odor

• Water softener needs servicing
• Algae bloom
• Lake turnover

Onion/fish smell

• Onions or fish stored in freezer
• Filter needs replacing

Ammonia smell

• These odors are caused by a reaction with chlorine dioxide in the water and a volatile organic compound (VOC) in the home.
• VOCs come from new carpet, new paint, time release air fresheners/dispensers, gas/propane logs, or anything new that may emit a VOC. The smell is more noticeable in a bathroom, laundry room, or any enclosed area of the home.

Solutions for VOC smell

• Raise windows to air out house in order to rid the home of the VOCs.
• Vacuum new carpet more than usual.
• Run vent fans in the bathrooms to help with the removal of the VOCs.
• Unfortunately, there is no way to predict how long it will take for the smell of VOCs to go away completely.