Can I Improve the Taste of My Tap Water?

When all you’re after is a glass of water, it can be rather unsettling to fill your glass, take a sip, and be greeted by a metallic or egg-like taste. Poor tasting water is not an uncommon issue for home and building owners. Many people assume the only solution is to keep the refrigerator stocked with distilled or bottled water, but that isn’t the case. Treating your water can result in clean, fresh-tasting water right out of your faucet. Sounds incredible, right?  

Why does my water taste bad?

Finding the source of the problem is the first step to reaching great tap water. Ask yourself these questions:

1. Does my water taste like eggs? If your water has an egg-like taste or smell, your water likely contains hydrogen sulfide. Water absorbs this gas as it travels through the ground and later vents gas from your tap water when you turn on your faucet. While “egg water” is typically harmless, it isn’t exactly enjoyable and can be fixed.
2. Does my water taste musty or earthy? If your water tastes or smells a little like earth, dirt, or the great outdoors, total dissolved solids (TDS) may be the issue. TDS are compounds left in your drinking water after the normal filtration process. They originate from natural sources like sewage, urban and agricultural runoff, and industrial waste water. Sounds delicious, right?
3. Does my water taste like pool water? If every sip of water makes you feel like you’re in a swimming pool, chlorine is likely your problem. While chlorine is used to kill harmful bacteria in water, chlorine should be filtered out of your water long before it reaches your faucet, let alone your drinking glass. While it’s always nice to spend a day poolside, you shouldn’t have to taste or smell chlorine in your drinking water.
4. Does my water have a metallic taste? If your water leaves a metallic taste in your mouth, you probably have too much of an element or mineral in your water. Copper, iron, magnesium, and lead are just a few possibilities. In small amounts, it is fine to consume copper, iron, and magnesium; however, lead can have negative effects on your health. If your water tastes like metal, please take caution and have your water tested.

How can I improve the taste of tap water?

You know your water tastes bad, but how can you fix it? Once an experienced plumber knows what your water tastes and smells like, he’ll be able to give you a more detailed solution, but here’s the gist of what can be done.

1. Install a water softener. Whether you utilize city or well water, the first step to better tasting water is to install a water softener. A water softener removes the “hardness” of your water by filtering and removing salt, deposits, minerals, odors, and other substances from your water. The filtered water then travels to a tank where it is stored and ready to pour out of your faucet and into your glass.
2. Add reverse osmosis. If installing a water softener isn’t enough to leave you with clean-tasting water, reverse osmosis will likely be your next step. Your water softener will filter your water once, but reverse osmosis will filter your water again and a little more carefully. In reverse osmosis, water travels through a semipermeable membrane that only allows water to pass through, not loose minerals or other contaminants. Reverse osmosis is typically only applied to kitchen faucets or refrigerators, meaning it is only used to filter drinking water. What does this mean for you? You can have glass after glass of delicious tasting water!
3. Invest in a sediment filter. If reverse osmosis still doesn’t do it or if you just want the best water possible, you can install a whole-house sediment filter. Reverse osmosis filters your drinking water after it has already been filtered by the water softener, but a sediment filter removes dirt, sand, and other particles before the water enters your water softener. This means all of the water used in your home will be filtered. Plus, if your drinking water goes through a sediment filter, water softener, and reverse osmosis, it will be some of the clearest, best tasting water you’ve ever seen or swallowed.

If you’re ready to say goodbye to bad tasting water or a refrigerator full of water bottles, our highly skilled plumbers can discuss a plan of attack. We will keep your household or building’s needs, the issues you have with your water, the amount of space available, and several other factors in mind to give you a recommendation. You should love the water you drink, so give us a call.