Tap water can get contaminated by germs or chemicals, but the risk is lower in cities that protect the lakes and rivers that supply their public tap water. Water that’s contaminated with harmful chemicals or toxins can cause illness, so always follow official do not drink advisories.
Taste Tap Water
Whether you are traveling or moving to a new home, the water that flows from your tap may taste different. That’s because tap water often comes from a public utility or public water system, which means it has traveled from rivers, lakes and reservoirs, then through pipes before reaching your faucet. This water is regulated for safety and quality, unlike well water that is sourced from underground sources such as a spring, cistern or rainwater collection tank.
Water that is treated by chlorine may have a strong chemical flavor. This is due to chlorine being added as a disinfectant to kill bacteria and other organisms in the water supply. If your water is also acidic, it may have a sharp or metallic taste. Similarly, if your water contains calcium or magnesium (minerals) it can have a bitter or chalky flavor. These minerals are naturally occurring and not a health risk but they can affect the taste of your drinking water.
If you have a rusty or metallic taste to your water, it is likely the result of iron dissolved in the pipes. This could happen if your pipes are made of galvanized steel or steel-lined copper and has been sitting in the pipes for long periods of time. Flushing your water before drinking should help remove the rusty or metallic taste.
Another factor that can alter the taste of your water is odors. If your water smells like rotten eggs it is likely caused by sulfur bacteria. These bacteria feed on natural sulfate and create hydrogen sulfide in the water which gives it that rotten egg smell. This is more common in well water than in municipal systems.
If you have noticed a change in the taste of your tap water, try adding a squeeze of lemon to it or chilling it in the refrigerator before drinking. These changes are most likely temporary and will resolve themselves over time. If your taste isn’t improving, consider installing a water filter. There are a variety of options, including ceramic and carbon water filters as well as the ever popular Brita. The professionals at Goodbee Plumbing can help you determine which solution is best for your unique needs.
Odor Tap Water
When drinking water tastes or smells unpleasant it can have a negative effect on your health. Certain odors in water can be caused by bacteria and chemicals that are not properly treated at a public water treatment plant or in the distribution system. These can cause serious symptoms in your digestive tract, such as stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Other odors can be caused by chemical and mineral contamination. These can include things like lead, copper, cadmium, iron, and barium. In addition, some medications can have side effects that affect how your water tastes or smells.
Sulfur odors or rotten egg odors can be caused by the presence of sulfur bacteria in your home plumbing or at the public water supply treatment plant. The odor is created when the bacteria break down organic material in the water and produce hydrogen sulfide gas. This odor can also be produced when the hot water heater isn’t used for an extended period of time, causing a buildup of sulfide gas inside the tank. If you notice a rotten egg or sulfur taste in your tap water, try running the faucets for a few minutes to see if the smell goes away. If the odor continues to persist, you may have a plumbing problem that needs to be addressed.
Chlorine is usually added to your tap water at the treatment plant to keep it safe to drink and kill any germs that could be present. However, chlorine can react with some of the minerals in your water and cause it to have an unpleasant taste or odor. If you are experiencing this issue, it is recommended that you run all of your faucets for a few minutes and contact the Water Quality Line.
Other odors in tap water aren’t as common, but can still be unpleasant to drink. If your tap water smells like gasoline or oil, this is most likely an indicator of a local contamination problem and you should report it to the authorities. This type of contaminant is normally the result of a nearby fuel or oil spill that has contaminated the groundwater.
Health Risks Tap Water
Many of the chemicals and microbes found in tap water are safe when consumed at low levels over a long period of time. However, drinking water contaminated with substances that exceed health standards can cause illness and even lead to cancer in some cases. Tap water is regulated by federal and state agencies to ensure its safety.
Public water systems treat raw water from lakes, reservoirs and rivers in order to make it safe for consumption. In addition, they add chlorine to kill bacteria and disinfect the system. The water is then piped to your home. During this process, pipes can become corroded, leading to the release of contaminants such as lead and copper into your water supply.
Human activity can also contribute to contamination. Organic solvents from industrial facilities can leach into rivers and streams, while pesticides and fertilizers can percolate into aquifers. Discarded septic tanks and animal waste can also carry harmful microbes like Giardia, Cryptosporidium and E coli into drinking water.
If you suspect your water is contaminated, contact your water utility or local health officials. They will issue a drinking water advisory, which includes advice on how to protect your health and what steps you can take to reduce your risk of sickness.
Some contaminants in tap water, such as uranium and cesium, are dangerous when exposed over an extended period of time because they emit ionizing radiation that can damage cells and increase the risk of cancer. Symptoms of exposure to these chemicals vary, but may include nausea and vomiting.
In addition, the mineral content of your tap water can also pose a health threat. In general, hard water contains more minerals than soft water. While your body needs some of these minerals, excess amounts can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease and other conditions.
If you’re concerned about your tap water, choose a reusable bottle to use for drinking and cooking. Avoid plastic bottles, which leach chemicals into your drink. Glass or stainless steel are better options for storing your water. Plastic jugs also tend to break down over time and aren’t good for the environment.
Mineral Content Tap Water
Minerals are naturally-occurring inorganic substances that provide a variety of health benefits when consumed in the right amounts. They are found in all living things and are also present in water. Some minerals include calcium and magnesium, which are necessary for bone and tooth health, while potassium and sodium help regulate blood pressure and keep muscles and nerves working properly.
The mineral content of tap water can have a significant impact on the drinking experience, as it can alter the way water tastes and is often referred to as total dissolved solids (TDS). Different waters have varying levels of TDS which influence the taste of the water, with some waters tasting saltier than others. The mineral content of water is determined by the geology of the area from which it originates. For example, groundwater that has been in contact with calcareous rocks will contain high concentrations of calcium and magnesium which result in hard water, while groundwater that has passed through igneous rocks will be much softer.
Different water sources have varying mineral contents, with some cities having low mineral content and others having higher. However, the TDS levels in these different waters are not always correlated with one another. In addition, mineral levels can vary among bottled waters from the same source. Koseki et al. [42] used a blind test to evaluate the taste of tap water, alkali ion water (calcium and magnesium carbonates or chlorides added to the water to create a calcium concentration of 40 mg/L) and bottled mineral water with various levels of TDS to determine their effects on the tasting and smelling of the water.
What’s Next?
They found that the preferred bottled and tap water samples had moderate mineralization, and that sensory analysis of the physicochemical data correlated well with the panelists’ ratings of the tasting and smelling of the water. They also reported that the taste of the water was improved by the addition of alkali and that the TDS levels in the favored bottled and tap waters were close to the recommended daily intakes of calcium, magnesium and sodium.