Taste and Odour Water Problems

Ever fill a glass with water from the tap and think, “That water smells odd” or “It tastes strange”? You’re not the only one. At Comfort Services Group, we deal with taste and odour water problems all the time. Strange water often has simple causes. Let’s chat about what might be affecting your water and what you can do about it.

Why Does Your Water Have a Strange Taste or Smell?

Water should taste clean and fresh, right? If it doesn’t, something’s off. Sometimes it’s the water itself, like when it moves slowly from the water treatment works. Other times, the culprits are inside your home: old water pipes, hot water pipes, or plastic water pipes that add taste or odour. If water sits in a tap or in standing pipes, it can pick up a musty or metallic taste. We’ve seen that if something tastes or smells wrong, it’s often one of these.

What Can Affect the Smell or Taste of Your Drinking Water?

Here’s a mix of things that can play a part:

Old or corroded metal pipes passing a metallic or bitter taste
Plastic water pipes, tap washers, or rubber fittings adding plastic or rubbery odour
Dishwashers or washing machines with connection hoses that affect water taste
Water treatment works letting chlorine taste slip through
Hot water pipes holding stale, musty water for too long
Rubber anti-splash attachments creating odd flavours at taps
Changes in water supply flow, especially after repairs or peak use

So, it tends to be a mix of household fittings, appliances, and supply issues all working together.

Possible Water Tastes and Smells

Here are the most common water tastes or odours: some are harmless, others may need attention.

Taste or Smell of Chlorine

Chlorine helps keep water clean at water treatment works. But at times, you might notice a strong taste of chlorine. That often happens when a neighbourhood uses a lot of water all at once, or if your home is near the treatment works. To make the chlorine smell fade, try filling a glass and letting it stand for five minutes. That usually helps with the taste and odour.

Metallic or Bitter Taste

A metallic or bitter taste often points to water sitting in old metal pipes or drinking from hot water pipes. This taste can come from corroded taps or pipe fittings. It’s not pleasant, and while usually not unsafe, it should make you look at your system and pipes.

Plastic or Rubbery

A plastic or rubbery taste often shows up after installing a new kettle or hose, or after fitting plastic pipework or tap washers. Even rubber anti-splash attachments on a tap can change the water taste. Warm water pipes often spread these odours. If your water smells plastic-like, start by checking these parts.

TCP or Medicinal

A sharp, antiseptic-like taste? Usually not in the supply, but in your fittings. Common sources include:

Tap washers that are plastic or rubber
A new plastic kettle releasing taste when used
Washing machines and dishwashers with plastic hoses
Connection hoses linking home plumbing to appliances
Rubber anti-splash fittings on your taps
Plastic water pipes inside your walls

As water passes through these, it picks up that medical-type taste or smell.

Salty or Chemical

A salty or chemical aftertaste might come from broken water softeners or filters or from road salt entering the pipes, especially after flooding or heavy rain. This taste can signal that something’s not right, so it’s wise to get your water tested.

Petrol or Fuel

If your water smells like petrol or fuel, this is serious. It could mean a leak from a nearby fuel system. Don’t drink, cook, or clean with that water. Contact your water supplier now and get help. Until the water is fixed, use bottled water.

Woody or Pencil

An odd woody or pencil-like taste often comes from organic build-up in old pipes. You might taste it after water sits in your plumbing. It’s not usually harmful, but unpleasant. Flushing the system might help. If the smell lingers, it’s best to call a water expert or plumber.

Rotten, Stagnant, Sewage

If your water smells musty, rotten, or like sewage, it could be bacteria build-up or sulphur in the pipes. That can happen when the house isn’t used, and the water becomes stagnant. Run your cold taps for several minutes to flush it out. If the smell doesn’t go away, you need professional help.

Musty or Earthy

A taste and smell thats earthy or musty, or like wet leaves, is usually harmless and caused by natural materials entering water before it reaches your home. This often happens after rain. But if washout doesn’t clear it after a day or two, speak to your water supplier or a water treatment expert.

Coloured Water Types

Colour can also tell you what’s going on:

Green or blue water: Usually from copper corrosion. Water sitting in pipes or pipes not used often causes this unusual colour.
Black or dark brown water: Often caused by manganese, old pipe debris, or sediment. Running the tap usually clears it.
Brown, red, orange or yellow water: Rust from iron pipelines or nearby main repairs can colour water these shades. It looks gross and tastes bad, though it’s not always harmful.
Milky white or cloudy water: This is just air bubbles. Fill a glass to watch the cloudiness fade from bottom up. It’s totally safe.

How to Deal with Strange Taste or Odour in Water?

Here’s what works:

Fill a glass and leave it for five minutes.
If the smell fades, let it stand or use cold taps.
Run your cold tap for three to five minutes to clear lines.
Never use hot water pipes for drinking or cooking—it can taste worse.
If your whole house or neighbours are affected, call a water treatment expert. Comfort Services Group can assist with water quality.

What Should You Do if You Notice Any Changes in Your Water Quality?

Keep a few notes:

What taste or smell do you notice?
Is it affecting one tap or many?
When did the change happen?

Ask neighbours if they’ve noticed the same. If they have, it’s likely a supply issue. If not, the problem may be inside your home, like your fittings or pipes. Don’t ignore changes.

FAQs

Do seasonal changes affect my water?

Yes. Summer brings out more musty or earthy smells. Rain brings soil into the system. Warm months can make chlorine taste stronger. Seasonal shifts in water flow also affect water quality.

How can I find out if it is my plumbing?

Run taps in different rooms for a few minutes. If only one smells or tastes odd, it’s likely your plumbing or fittings. If every tap is affected, ask neighbours. If they’re fine, it may lie in old pipes or tap washers inside your home.

What if my water supply changes or if I move to a new house?

Moving can change everything. Different water treatment works use different methods, so the taste or smell could vary. It usually settles after a few days. But if you get a metallic or bitter taste that stays, check your plumbing or call a professional.

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Andy Green

Founder & Co-Director at Comfort Services Group

Hello, I am Andy Green Founder & Co-Director at Comfort Services Group Limited, an HVAC commissioning & water treatment company which has been established and operating within the UK for over 20 years.Starting as a Commissioning Engineer back in 1989 I have always sort to work within a cohesive & collaborative team environment with an ethos of building long-term relationships. This over the years has become part of our company core value.
We are proud to share our experience and knowledge and take pride in offering this to all clients when required. If I, or one of the team can help then please schedule a meeting via the office or get in touch via one of our social media platforms.