Taste & Odor

Bad Taste or Odor Are The First Signs of Poor Water Quality

The vast majority of our customers come to us because they are experiencing bad taste or odors with their water. These commonly take the form of unpleasant flavors, smells, or aftertastes. Many people complain that their water tastes “metallic,” “chlorine-like,” or “earthy,” which can be caused by minerals, residual disinfectants, or organic matter in the water supply.

Sulfur-like odors, sometimes described as the “rotten egg smell,” are often due to hydrogen sulfide or certain bacteria, leading consumers to question water safety. These sensory objections, while not always indicative of harmful contaminants, influence whether people choose to use or drink their tap water or buy bottled water. The good news is that these are problems that can easily be fixed.

What Causes Bad Taste or Odors?

The cause of bad tastes and odors can vary and often occurs in both from both wells and municipal sources. Well water can develop tastes and odors due to naturally occurring minerals, such as iron or sulfur, bacterial growth, or contamination from nearby organic matter or chemicals.

Municipal water can have strange tastes and odors due to the presence of chlorine or chloramine used for disinfection, naturally occurring minerals, or organic matter in the source water that reacts with treatment chemicals.

Taste & Odor Solutions

Springsoft granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration systems are very effective against a wide range of tastes and odors. When water passes through a GAC filter, contaminants such as chlorine, chloramines, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and naturally occurring organic matter bind to the carbon surface, effectively reducing off-tastes and odors. This process is effective at providing water that is not only safer to drink but also more pleasant and free of taste and aroma.

Springsoft GAC filtration systems can also be very effective against those "rotten egg" smells sometimes found in well water sources.