Ensuring access to clean drinking water is important, so water purification is necessary. Water odor can discourage people from drinking it and may indicate the water isn't fit for drinking. Mr. Clean Water is a home water purification system company based in the McAllen and South Texas area. Here they provide information on water odor and some common causes of it.
When water odor is detected, the first thing to do is to identify where the odor is coming from. If the odor is present in all water faucets and goes away after running the water for a few minutes, the smell is caused by a problem in the water source (well or public water supply). If the odor persists after running the water for some time, it can be from the water source or both in the water source and the plumbing system. If the odor is from all faucets only when hot water runs, it can be due to the magnesium rod in the hot water tank. If water odor is present only in some faucets and goes away after running the water for a few minutes, the cause of the odor is in the fixtures or pipes supplying those faucets.
Common Water Odors
1. Chlorine, Bleach, or Medicinal Smell
Water from public water suppliers is generally chlorinated to prevent bacterial growth. Adding chlorine to a well or plumbing system can result in a strong smell of bleach. Turning on the faucets to let the water run out for some time can reduce the bleach smell. If chlorine interacts with organic material in the plumbing system, it can have a musty bleach smell.
If water is from a private well, and the problem is in the plumbing system and/or well, the entire water system may need to be flushed by a licensed well driller or plumber. If water is from the public water supply, the relevant authority must be contacted.
2. Rotten Egg (Sulfurous) or Sewage-like Odor
This is usually caused by the growth of sulfur-reducing bacteria in the drain, water heater, or water source. When an organic matter like hair, soap, and food waste accumulates in the drain, these bacteria grow producing gas that smells of rotten eggs. The remedy is to disinfect and flush the drain. If only hot water smells, the magnesium rod in the heater may need to be replaced. If the bacterial contamination is from the water source, private wells can be chlorinated. If the presence of a defective or improperly located septic system is suspected near the well, the local health department should be notified. If the water source is a public utility, the local health department or water supply authorities must be contacted.
3. Musty, Earthy, Moldy, Grassy, or Fishy Odor
Musty or earthy smells can indicate high iron content in the water. While it isn’t harmful, it tastes unpleasant and can cause slimy buildups in toilets. This can be treated with an iron filter or chlorine treatment.
Detergent smell or foaming water can be because of septic tank leakage into the water supply. The source of contamination is to be eliminated, and if supply is from a well, it must be chlorinated.
Methane gas smell is caused by decaying organic matter in shallow wells or contamination from landfills or oilfields. Well vents can remove methane gas. An aeration system can also help.
Earthy or fishy odors can be due to organic matter deposited in the drain over time. If the problem is in the drain, it can be flushed by pouring half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by half a cup of vinegar. After 15 minutes, hot water can be poured. This helps remove organic buildup in the drain.
If such odors are not from the drain, it can be due to the pollution of well water from surface drainage. If the water source is a private well, it can be shock chlorinated and then water pumped out till the chlorine smell reduces.
Regular cleaning and maintenance of reservoir tanks prevent the growth of microorganisms like bacteria, algae, or fungi that cause water odor.
4. Petroleum, Gasoline, or Solvent-like Odor
These odors are very rare but can be serious. They can be caused by a leaking underground fuel tank near the well that supplies water. Water supply can also be contaminated by discharge from nearby factories or landfills. Runoff from agriculture may be leaching into the water supply causing chemical smells in the water. This type of contamination can cause anemia, liver and kidney problems, and is a risk for cancer. The problem must be reported to the local health department immediately. The source of the problem should be identified and eliminated. An activated carbon filtration system or reverse osmosis system can be installed after identifying the type and source of odor-causing contaminant.
Problems with public water supply need assistance from local health and water supply authorities. But common water problems, including odor, can be prevented and managed to an extent with water purification systems. Mr. Clean Water is trusted by many happy customers in the McAllen, and South Texas area, for home water filtration system installation. They also offer assistance with installed water filter systems. They can be contacted for water purification requirements via email at mrcleanwater@hotmail.com or a call to (956) 562-9533. Water is essential to health, and it is important to have pure and fresh water at home.
