You may not appreciate it but all water has a distinctive flavor. The best way to appreciate what flavor your water has is to try some filtered water. You’ll find an abundance of water coolers, water dispensers, and other water filter systems that remove the minerals and chemicals from water. These allow you to taste pure water and you will be surprised at the difference.
Why Water Tastes Bad
There are several reasons why water tastes bad. It is important to note that when you say bad we are talking about water that tastes different from that which usually comes out of the tap.
In general, the water from your faucet has been treated at a water treatment center. This means debris has been removed and chemicals have been added. Chlorine kills bacteria while fluoride strengthens teeth and bones. But, these chemicals affect the taste of the water.
They are known as chloramines and add a flavor of chlorine to the water. In contrast, a high presence of minerals can make the water taste salty or bitter. Metallic tasting water is a result of heavy metals being present in the water. All of these change the taste of the water and can potentially be harmful to your health.
There are other reasons why your water may taste bad. These include an excessive amount of hydrogen sulfide in the water, creating a rotten egg smell and taste. You can also find earthy water, a result of dissolved solids in the water.
There are plenty of reasons why water tastes bad but the bottom line is that it means there are things in the water that shouldn’t be. Eliminating these is good for the taste of your water and your health.
What You Should Do When Your Water Tastes Bad
The first thing you should do is drink a glass of filtered water. This will tell you what pure water should taste like. If your water tastes different from this then you should suspect it is contaminated.
It is then important to have your water tested. This will tell you exactly what is in your water and how dangerous it is. You may be surprised at what your water contains.
Once you have established the issue with your water you will be able to invest in a water filter. It is important to have the test done first as there are different types of water filters and you will want the one that corresponds to the issues with your water.
You should note that once you have a filter fitted, you can still have the water tested periodically. It will make sure there are not any other contaminants and that your filter is working properly.
Identifying the issue with the water will also help you to look for the cause. In many cases, the contamination happens during the delivery sequence and there is nothing you can do about it. But, in some cases, the contaminants are arriving in your plumbing and you will be able to replace the necessary sections and reduce the contamination.
Of course, the water filter is still a good idea to keep your water safe.