What would cause tap water which looks and tastes fine to have a slight odor?

Question

I recently moved into a new place, and the water looks and tastes ok, but there is a slight odor I really don't like. I've noticed it from water in the bathroom and kitchen. No one else picks up on it, but it really bothers me and I don't like the smell. I've never had this problem before in previous homes. Is the odor a sign the water is probably not clean? Thanks.

Also, if it's the sulfer compound some of you have mentioned, would that cause problems with the hair or skin? Maybe it's a coincidence, but I've noticed that my hair has shed more since I've moved into this place. I'm wondering if it's from washing my hair using this water.

I'm in the same general area. I moved about 15 minutes a way to a different suburb. However, the building is much larger, and has more units if that makes a difference.

Answer 1

Get your water tested to know for sure what the odor is. No amount of guessing will give you an absolute answer.

If it smells like rotton eggs is it likely hydrogen sulfide. I've been told it is not a health hazard and the water remains safe to drink. Still doesn't eliminate the nuisance factor though...

The best solution I've heard so far is to filter with activated carbon. I'm looking for a large canister type filter which should last several months.

This link explains better what is happening...
http://www.excelwater.com/eng/b2c/h2s.php?WL_Session=2693423fe775cfa8438ed6b7584a2a25

Answer 2

When you moved, did you move to a differing town, city than you resided in before? If you are in the same town, then it could be an internal problem in your home or apt. If a differing town, it no doubt could be the water source. Foul smelling water no doubt can be an indication that there is a problem and the water might not be suitable for consumption. You can have your water tested by your state department of health affairs - phone # in your state pages of local phone book - usually free or a slight fee. This report will let you know what is in your water, contaminents, minerals - excess or lack of, chlorine levels, rusty water,etc. I would suggest in the interim that you put a water conditioner onto the kitchen faucet or use a Brita water cleaning system and see if this helps. Also, purchase bottled water for drinking purposes until the situation can be resolved.

Answer 3

Does it smell kind of like rotten eggs? Then it's a sulfer compound. It won't harm you, but it is annoying. You can buy inexpensive odor filters to put under each of your sinks to filter out the odor. There is also a shower head you can buy that has an odor filter in it. I would have the water tested just to be safe though. Your local DHEC office can refer you to someone to test it, or they might even do it in your area. Until then drink bottled water and boil any water you cook with.

Answer 4

It could be anything; residue in pipes (or old pipes), different water supplies.

Try putting the tap water through a brita or pur filter to take away the funny taste/smell. You may be able to attach filters to the bathroom sink and kitchen sink (if they screw off).

I don't know how this would effect your hair. I don't believe that it should, however you may consider changing products that work better with the water for better results.

If the spray isn't reaching your scalp, this will effect the quality of the hair wash.

Answer 5

it could be sulfide, or if no one lived in the house for a long time before you then it could be caused by old water that settled in the pipes and it may take awhile to flush all this out of the pipes, if it has a odor to it i would have the water tested before i decided to drink it for sure, just to be on the safe side of things.

Answer 6

Many municipalities chlorinate the water. the quantity of chlorine used isn't risky, besides the undeniable fact that it kills micro organism and different undesirable issues interior the water. The fluoride in water often is on the marketplace interior the style of sodium fluoride, a salt it fairly is often tasteless. maximum of what you flavor in faucet water, to boot the chlorine, is salts and minerals. maximum bottled waters, like Aquafina, are faucet water from municipal components that have long previous via a filtering technique. That technique gets rid of lots of the salts and minerals. some agencies then upload in minerals to attain a particular flavor to their water.

Answer 7

maybe it's some mineral/metal or bacteria (i doubt it's bacteria if it looks and tastes fine)...you should get it tested just to be on the safe side

Answer 8

try the water in vegas one side its great other crunchy