What Causes Tap Water to Smell Bad?

Does Your Tap Water Smell Bad?

Whether you get your water from a municipal source or another system, you have expectations for your water quality. You expect to turn on the tap and have pure, clear water flow out. You also don’t expect the water to smell.

What happens if your water smells bad? Maybe your tap water smells like chemicals or has a sewer-like odor. Here’s a guide to why your tap water might smell—and how to fix it.

My Tap Water Smells Musty

Musty odors coming from your tap are generally harmless. However, that doesn’t make your tap water taste better. You may not want to drink or use the water because of the musty smell, which makes sense. Our sense of smell and taste are closely linked, and unpleasant odors can ruin the experience of drinking water.

Bacteria are often the cause of musty-smelling tap water. Usually, the bacteria are located in your drain. Organic matter from daily activities can build up in drains and start to decay, attracting bacteria that produce unpleasant smells.

Here’s a quick test: Fill a glass with water and take it to another room. Swirl it and then smell. If the odor is gone, your drain is the culprit. Cleaning and disinfecting the drain can usually eliminate the problem.

My Tap Water Smells Like Rotten Eggs

If your tap water smells like rotten eggs, sulfur-reducing bacteria are usually to blame. Start by figuring out if the smell is isolated to a single faucet or present in multiple locations. Check both hot and cold taps.

If the smell disappears when the water is away from the sink, your drain is likely the issue. Clean and disinfect your drains to remove the odor.

If the smell persists and is only noticeable with hot water, the problem may be your water heater. Bacteria can grow inside the heater, especially if the thermostat is set too low or if the unit hasn’t been used in a while. You may need to disinfect the heater or replace the anode rod to fix the issue.

If your tap water has a persistent odor and you can’t identify the source, we can help. Contact All A’s Plumbing & Heating. Our office is located in Randolph, NJ, in Morris County. We serve Morris County, Sussex County, Essex County, and beyond. Get in touch to see if we service your area. We look forward to helping you.