Does Your Water Smell, Look or Taste Funny?
by JoAnn Wagner,
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
Most health-related concerns about drinking water don't show-up as an obvious color, taste or odor unless the level of contaminant is very high. Most color in water is related to the presence of iron and manganese, which aren't hazardous to health, but can stain sinks and clothing.
One common odor is caused by the presence of hydrogen sulfide that can smell like rotten eggs, but isn't hazardous.
A high level of a substance that doesn't belong in the water may also affect taste or may even burn the mouth and throat. Though such occurrences are rare, if this happens, don't drink the water and contact your public water system operator immediately. If you are on a private well, seek assistance, stop drinking the water and have your drinking water tested immediately.
Here is a partial list of common, if not health-threatening, problems with our water:
Color
- Yellowish water; yellow stains on china, bathroom fixtures and laundry: These can be caused by "tannins," or harmless acids from water passing peaty soils.
- Brownish water; brownish slime in toilet tanks: Often caused by iron bacteria.
- Blue-green water; green stains on sinks and porcelain fixtures: From acid water dissolving copper from pipes and plumbing fixtures.
- Green or blue ice cubes: From water dissolving copper from the water line to the ice maker.
- Yellow, black stains on bathroom fixtures; tarnished silverware: From hydrogen sulfide.
- Reddish brown material that settles to the bottom of a glass (or the water from the tap appears rusty): Precipitated iron from rusty pipes, wells or ores.
- Reddish brown rusty stains on fixtures, laundry, dishes (but the water from the tap appears clear): From dissolved iron.
Odor
- Rotten eggs: Hydrogen sulfide.
- Septic or sewage odors: Seepage of septic system discharge into groundwater.
- Chlorine: Excessive chlorination.
- Gasoline or oil: Leak in fuel oil or gas tank.
Taste
- Salty: high sodium or magnesium.
- Metallic: Acid water or high iron.
- Sharp chemical: Insecticides or herbicides.
(From What Do The Standards Mean? A Citizens' Guide to Drinking Water Contaminants, Virginia Water Resources Research Center, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA. 1990).
