If your tap water smells bad, don’t worry – you’re not alone. In fact, according to the EPA, “an estimated 50 million Americans living in about 21,000 communities are served by water systems that have reported violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act at some time during the past decade”.
But before you start reaching for the bottled water, there are a few things you can do to try and fix the problem.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at some of the most common causes of bad-smelling tap water and provide you with some solutions.
Table of Contents
1. What causes bad-smelling tap water?
There are a number of different things that can cause your tap water to smell bad. The problem is most likely due to the presence of contaminants in your water supply.
Common sources of these contaminants include: microorganisms, minerals, decaying organic matter, and industrial chemical fumes.
Just remember that the water that leaves your tap is not pure H2O – it’s a blend of different elements, some of which may cause it to smell bad.
2. Is it safe to drink tap water that smells?
You should only drink water that has no smell. If your tap water smells bad, there is probably something wrong with it in some way.
You should either filter it or buy water (bottled or straight from the tap) if you want to drink it for safety purposes.
3. How can I check the quality of my tap water?
Check your tap water for smell. If the water smells bad, it may be cause for concern because there could be harmful contaminants or other problems like bacteria in the water.
You could also use test strips to check for different contaminants in your water. These strips can be bought at most hardware stores or online.
4. How can I fix it?
Luckily, there are a few things you can do to try and fix the problem:
– Check your faucet filters. If they’re dirty, change them (and if you have a sediment filter, cut it in half to see if it’s clogged)
– Check for leaks in your plumbing and fix them
– Run the cold water for a minute or two before using it to get rid of any bad-tasting or bad-smelling water that’s been sitting in the pipes
– If you’ve tried all of these things and your water still smells bad, it may be time to call a plumber.
5. Can I remove all the bad smells from my tap water?
There is no one definitive answer to this question.
Depending on what’s causing the bad smell and taste in your water, you may be able to fix the problem with a filter or by boiling the water.
If it’s something more serious, like bacteria, you may have to get a new water supply from your local water company, or at least bring the matter to their attention. Involve the community in solving this problem!