Taste of Water

People often notice subtle changes in the taste of drinking water - not surprising as the average person has around 10,000 taste buds. The natural taste of water can vary from area to area; soft upland water contains fewer minerals and may be described as flat or insipid, while in chalky areas the water may have a sharpness or pleasant taste due to the presence of calcium carbonate. But changes within the home can also change the taste of your tap water.

• Earthy or musty taste: can occur if a water pipe is warmed, perhaps because it is next to an uninsulated hot water pipe. Action: Run your tap for a short time to flush out any standing water before using water for drinking and/or cooking.
• Medicinal or TCP type tastes: often traced to unsuitable or degraded tap washers, flexible inlet pipes for washing machines and dishwashers, rubber tap extensions and other fittings, such as sealing rings in electric kettles. Action: if this is proved, install a one-way check valve just before the flexible pipe to prevent backflow. Check valves can be purchased from most plumbing merchants and DIY stores.
• Chlorine: a residual amount of chloring remains in the water after treatment to keep it wholesome as it travels to your taps. the taste can vary at different times of the day or dependingon how far your home is from the water treatment works. Action: Chilling water in the fridge will help as it allows the chlorine to dissipate. To minimise the risk of bacterial contamination, it should be kept covered in the fridge and for no more than 24 hours after being drawn from the tap.
• Plastic tastes: often arise from the use of unsuitable plumbing materials. Action: only use materials approved for use in contact with drinking water. Look out for WRAS endorsed products.
• Salty tastes: can be caused by incorrectly installed water softeners. This may result in a backflow which can allow salt water from the softener to syphon back into the drinking water system. Action: Always follow the requirements of the Water Suppy (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 and the British Code of practice on installing water softeners. We recommend you use WaterSafe approved plumbers to carry out plumbing work and do not drink softened water.
• Eggy or sulphuric tastes: Usually the result of the odour from the waste trap of the sink affecting your perception of the water - the water itself will not be affected. Action: Check this by filling a clean glass with water from the tap, and take it away (preferably into another room) before tasting it again. If the water tastes and smells fresher away from the sink, it suggests the waste trap may be the cause. to get rid of this smell, clean and disinfect the drain pipe below the sink.

Feature in Wessex Water Magazine, autumn/winter 2015 issue