Water Taste and Odor Issues: Musty Odor, Bad Taste, & More

One of the biggest complaints we receive is that homes using municipal water have a chlorine smell or taste in their tap water. Public water systems use added chlorine to remove bacteria and keep supply lines clean. The unfortunate side effect is that your water can have a chemical smell or flavor to it. Sometimes, it will be stronger the closer you are to the treatment plant.

Another one of the biggest complaints we hear is that well water has a sulfur odor (smells like rotten eggs). If your water smells like rotten eggs, it indicates your well may contain decaying vegetation. When vegetation breaks down, the bacteria that feed on it produce hydrogen sulfide as a byproduct, causing that smell.

These bacteria are called sulfur bacteria. While they’re not harmful, they can create slime buildup and make using your tap water extremely unpleasant. If you only notice a rotten egg smell when you turn on the hot water, this is a sign that you have an issue with your water heater.

Your hot water heater can make water smell like sulfur due to a reaction between the tank’s anode rod and sulfate ions. Sometimes, you might see brown water from the tap caused by corrosion of the anode rod. Or, sulfur-reducing bacteria may be living in the water heater tank. Both situations can result in the production of hydrogen sulfide gas.

In Maryland, Anne Arundel (near the bay), St. Mary’s, Charles, and Calvert Counties tend to have rotten egg odor issues.

If your municipal water smells like fish or has a musty or earthy odor, this points to an algae bloom. Algae are typically removed during the water treatment process. However, the plant can’t eliminate the smell produced by dead algae.

When algae blooms occur, they often produce geosmin, the culprit behind unpleasant, earthy smells. However, in wells, a variety of bacteria can cause water to smell musty, earthy, or fishy. To determine the source of the issue, contact Carroll Water for a water analysis.

If your water smells like a wet dog, it indicates you either have a buildup problem in your plumbing system, a bacterial problem, or both somewhere in your water supply.

High concentrations of metals in your water can cause this smell. In addition, if your plumbing contains buildup, like rust deposits, bacteria can collect and multiply, giving off that bad odor. Lastly, if you use well water, your well itself could be contaminated with bacteria.

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Water that smells like oil or gasoline often indicates a methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) problem. This is most often caused by contamination from petroleum products due to leaks, spills, or industrial discharge, but may also be due to certain bacteria. Bacteria that feed on iron in groundwater can produce a smell sometimes described as oily, swampy, or petroleum-like. This is usually accompanied by reddish stains and slimy residue, but the odor is more musty than chemical.

Gas and oil odors should never be ignored, and immediate professional water testing is recommended. This type of contamination can be highly toxic, and immediate water treatment is necessary to protect your water. If you notice a gasoline-like smell or flavor or see oily film on your tap water’s surface, contact Carroll Water for testing.

Important Note: Oily films on the surface of water are often caused by iron bacteria, mineral deposits, or biofilm and are generally harmless. However, if you notice a persistent film that reforms quickly or smells like fuel, stop using the water and get professional testing immediately.

If your water tastes like metal or smells metallic, it can be a sign of several issues. One, your pipes may be corroding. If you’re also noticing red-orange or blue-green stains near plumbing fixtures, this is another telltale sign of this issue. If this is the case, you likely have acidic water.

In other cases, a metallic flavor or odor can point to high iron or manganese in your water. If you see brown water from the faucet or red-orange or gray-black staining throughout your home, this is likely the cause. Manganese and iron in water can also lead to slime buildup from manganese and iron bacteria.

Iron in well water in Maryland, Virginia, and Southern Pennsylvania is incredibly common. This is because private wells are likely to tap into iron-rich aquifers. Iron-bearing minerals in local geology and soil contribute to elevated iron levels in well water.

Sweet-tasting water has multiple culprits. Hard water or high iron levels can make your water taste sweet. If this is the case, you’ll likely also see staining, rust particles in your water, or even slime residue from bacteria.

Additionally, pH issues, certain types of bacteria, and even waste contamination can make your water taste sweet. To learn more, visit our blog page: How Come My Tap Water Tastes Sweet?