There are two common causes of weird tasting water: chlorine and sulfur. Each have a different source but both can be fixed with the right filtration system. 

Why does my water taste weird?

Chlorine in Water

If the water in your home tastes a bit like pool water, you’re probably not alone. Most water in American homes has some level of chlorine. That’s because municipal water sources use chlorine to kill bacteria and other contaminants. While the EPA monitors the levels of chlorine in water and states the regulated concentration does not cause any harm, the US Council of Environmental Quality reports people using chlorinated water have as much as a 93 percent higher risk of cancer. So while chlorine is a cheap and effective way at purifying water, studies have shown that chlorine is a carcinogen, and even at the low regulated concentrations can increase the likelihood of cancer. Now that you know why does my water taste weird, the taste of your water might not be your biggest concern! Fortunately, activated carbon filters can effectively remove all chlorine from your home water supply. Testing for chlorine is a simple process and can be done on-site in a matter of minutes. Whether you dislike the taste of your water or want to eliminate the health hazards that come with chlorine, Metro Water Filter can help find the best solution for your home.

Sulfur in Water

If your water tastes metallic or sour, you may have significant amounts of hydrogen sulfide in your water. Hydrogen sulfide is easy to detect even in small concentrations because of its bad “rotten egg” smell. However, water only tastes bad when there are significantly high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide present. At this level of concentration, there is a much higher risk for health problems. Hydrogen sulfide is produced by decaying vegetation and can seep into water sources such as wells. Wells built near coal, oil, shale or sandstone also often have hydrogen sulfide. Not only can it make your water smell and sometimes taste weird, it can also corrode silverware, pipes, and appliances in your house. In the worst case, sulfur water may be a sign of sewage pollution and contain dangerous bacteria. Treatment includes iron filters and chlorinators. The most common and effective solution is the use of chlorine bleach in chlorinators. While chlorine itself can become a problem as mentioned above, all of Metro Water Filter’s chlorinators are installed with a carbon cartridge filter to remove the chlorine once it has treated the sulfur.