Using tap water daily, but do you know what their smell means?

The taste of tap water can be uncomfortable, but you don't need to worry about health risks.

Have you ever noticed that the water coming out of the tap also has a taste? Maybe it comes from the tap right in your home, or when you arrive at a new tourist destination. In fact, the taste of tap water is characterized by different localities.

Sometimes, you will be worried that flavored water will affect your health. However, experts say most of the common flavors you feel from tap water are common and safe. Even the great harmful agents from water do not have a strong taste like arsenic, sodium, virus . Lead-contaminated water is extremely toxic but does not have a clear taste.

The taste of tap water can be very specific to different localities.

So the taste of water can be uncomfortable, but you won't need to worry about their health risks. Only in the event of an unusual or extreme change when you taste the water, you must inform the functional unit to find out the cause and handling. Here are some of the most common flavors that you can feel from a tap of water:

Smell like fish, smell of soil, moldy smell

The reason for this may come from an algae in water. If this is the case, the taste will appear cyclically, for example spring may be when the algae grows stronger. Municipal tap water has been treated, of course, rarely, algae can appear inside. But their taste can still be saved.

Another reason for this taste of water is bacterial growth. Maybe they are growing somewhere in your water supply system. More simply, it may come from your own sink, where the taste of the water is felt. However, most of these causes are not enough to harm your health.

Odor of chlorine, bleach, chemicals

When the water supply unit uses chlorine to disinfect it, of course the water from the tap will have a smell of chlorine.

This is the most common smell of tap water. Your tap water has a chlorine odor, because simply the supply system uses chlorine to disinfect. This chemical is often used extensively in water plants, as it is less expensive and still offers high efficiency. Another option that is more expensive if you don't want chlorinated water is ozone, use ozone to disinfect the water.

Even so, the appearance of a small amount of chlorine in the treated water is safe.

Pharmaceutical, spicy or bitter smell

The presence of copper in water , often from pipe corrosion, may be the cause of this taste. The amount of copper in the water if it is below 1.3 mg / l is safe for humans, although they can be toxic to ornamental fish. The level of copper causing an acute health reaction is above 60mg / l. If you drink this water, you may experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, intestinal discomfort.

In the field, flavors like pharmaceuticals can come from other minerals soluble in water, such as sulfate-based salts of sodium or magnesium. If you are unfamiliar with this water source, suppose that in case you are new to a tourist destination, it may cause temporary colonoscopy.

Zinc is the next cause that can make your water taste like medicine. In fact, high levels of zinc can cause nausea and vomiting. However, it is rare for zinc levels to be found high enough in water to cause harm.

Smell of gasoline

Do not drink water with gasoline smell and consult this situation with neighbors.

The first reason people think about it is: Is a fuel leak tank making my water smell of gasoline?

This is not impossible, but according to Southern Water, a clean water company in the UK, animals that fall into water are the more common cause of this condition.

When an animal falls into the water, it leaves a lot of different odors. The problem may have been fixed, but the smell remained, representative of Southern Water said.

When a gas odor is detected from the faucet, you should check whether it is present on other taps in your home or neighborhood. If it's just a tap, the problem can be overcome by a plumber. But if it comes from all faucets, you should not drink them and inform the unit that is supplying the area immediately.

Metal smell

Zinc, iron, manganese are the causes of metallic odor in water. The presence of zinc in water usually comes from corrosion of galvanized pipes. With iron and manganese, it is available from water sources. Water with iron and manganese causes the darkening of coffee or tea. You can test this easily at home.

Also iron and manganese stain the water pipes you can observe, for example, transparent water pipes in washing machines. If the water has a high iron content, you can see the characteristic yellow color when discharged into a white enamel washbasin.

An abundant source of iron water will have a characteristic yellow color.

According to US Environmental Protection Agency standards, the concentration of iron supplied by water plants must be kept below 0.3mg / l. However, although the figure is up to 15 mg / l, it still cannot harm human health.

Yes, the main damage caused by iron-containing water is to affect the taste of drinks, the food you prepare and the equipment and machinery connected to the water source. Iron in the water makes tea, coffee flavored. It caused damage to the pump, washing machine, dishwasher, leaving yellow stains on the sink and bathtub.

Salty taste

Natural chloride compounds in water are responsible for the salty taste. High concentrations of chloride also increase the risk of metal pipes being corroded. Besides high sodium in the water can also affect its taste. In some areas, saline water may be accepted for use as a household supply.

However, if the salinity mutation is recorded, it may be a leak of salt water that you need to inform the water supplier. Saltwater can affect sodium dieters. Besides, salty taste in water is also a factor that increases the risk of disease.

Smell of sulfur, rotten eggs

Water smells of sulfur, like rotten eggs, is the result of various bacteria living in the water supply system. It comes from hydrogen sulfide, produced from organic decomposition. Water supply units do not consider the danger of this sign to health. It only has corrosion effects on pipes.

Smells like wet dog hair

Water from the tap may also smell like wet dog hair.

Water smells like a wet new dog coming from a combination of factors , from metal pipes, bacteria, chemical treatments to organic materials in water sources. A smelly water source can still be in safety but you need to be alert to the presence of bacteria inside it.

Smell a pencil

This is the taste that you should pay attention to and place great interest in. It comes from antioxidants in plastic pipe systems. The only way to get rid of this taste is to replace the entire family plastic pipe system. That can be a costly and time-consuming job.