Does Your Water

Taste or Smell “Off”?

Unusual odors and tastes in your water can range from unpleasant to unsafe. Find out what they could mean.

      
  4.9 
   1125 reviews

Does Your Water

Taste or Smell “Off”?

Unusual odors and tastes in your water can range from unpleasant to unsafe. Find out what they could mean.

      
  4.9 
   1125 reviews

Family Owned &
Operated

50+

Years in Business

Common Off-Flavors & Odors in Tap Water

Does your water have a distinct flavor or smell? Perhaps it tastes a bit like pool water. Or maybe you’ve noticed a smell similar to rotten eggs. A number of sediments, chemicals, and bacteria can throw off the taste and smell of your water. Depending on the severity and the source, bad tastes and odors may be a harmless nuisance or an indication of something more serious.

Unusual Tastes & Odors, Explained

Tastes

There are many substances that can lurk in your water supply and cause an unpleasant taste. For example, water with elevated levels of iron may taste bitter or metallic. If your water tastes musty, it could be due to bacteria or sediments.

Odors

Many of the issues that cause water to taste less than fresh also cause an unpleasant smell. Chlorine, which is commonly used in public water systems to remove bacteria, can leave your water smelling and tasting like a pool. Water with a rotten-egg smell is often due to the presence of hydrogen sulfide gas dissolved in the water.

How Can Water with Unusual Odors or Flavors Affect You & Your Home?

Unpleasant Drinking Water

Water with an off-putting taste or smell isn’t always harmful, but it is unpleasant to drink.

Negative Health Effects

In some cases, water that tastes or smells odd could indicate an outbreak of bacteria that could make you and your family sick.

Property Damage

Depending on the cause, water that tastes or smells bad may also cause staining on fixtures or sediment buildup in pipes.

Removing Tastes & Odors from Your Water

There are a number of reasons your water may have an unpleasant odor or taste, and a water analysis can determine the cause of the issue. From there, a certified water specialist can recommend the best treatment system for your home.

What Your Neighbors Are Saying

    
 
 
        
   Colby Stichter 
 7 days ago
 
 
  Kervin installed our new water softener system today and did a great job!
  
 
       
   Bill Phillips 
 7 days ago
 
 
  Duane G was very good about communicating his arrival time. His service was excellent.  He also made some good suggestions about ways to improve our drinking water quality
  
 
       
   Patrick Mcgee 
 8 days ago
 
 
  We have been using Martin Water for years to maintain our water filtration system, and they are truly great. Duane came over recently—he is always nice, professional, and takes the time to explain everything he’s doing so we know exactly what to expect. I highly recommend Martin Water for all your water needs!
  
 
       
   Pete Scarano 
 9 days ago
 
 
  Good work!
  
 
       
   Jeff Lotz 
 11 days ago
 
 
  Kervin was awesome!  Very experienced, talented, and skilled.  Super clean job.  Great with our dogs, too.  Definitely recommend!
  
 
       
   Kelly Smith 
 14 days ago
 
 
  We had a great installation experience. Kervin was knowledgeable, worked efficiently and with excellence. He explained everything we needed to know very well and left everything in even better shape than he found it. We are highly satisfied with the system and the service we received.
  
 
       
   Tim Stahl 
 15 days ago
 
 
  Very impressed with Martin Water Conditioning! From Loren coming out to test our well water and walking us through and educating us about our options to Kelton and Jaishun handling the installation, the entire process was smooth and easy. The installers were polite, professional, and great to work with. Our well water is no longer acidic, and we finally have soft water again! We’re very happy with the results and highly recommend their team. Amazing job from start to finish, save yourself the trouble and headache and just call these guys.
  
 
       
   David Anderson 
 17 days ago
 
 
  Another year has past and we just had our yearly Kinetico Water System serviced, that makes 20 years of fantastic water ! Thank you Zach for the professional service you provided.
  
 
       
   Laura Wozniski 
 17 days ago
 
 
  Very efficient.  My house had no mess.  KERVIN WAS POLITE AND EFFICIENT.  THANK YOU.
  
 
       
   Andy LaFaver 
 18 days ago
 
 
  Eric from Martin Water came to our home and installed a new water softener system. He was fantastic. Got the job completed. No issues and it looks great. He instructed us on how to do basic servicing.

I highly recommend this company for your plumbing needs.
  
 
       
   Trisha Fittipaldi 
 21 days ago
 
 
  Duane is our Martin tech every year. He explains in easy to understand terms how safe our water is, what the filtration system is doing and how much life is has left, as well as what each filter can do to keep our drinking water safe. As someone who never has well water before I greatly appreciate his clear explanations and thorough work. If you can choose a check choose Duane!
  
 
       
   Carl Deitrich 
 22 days ago
 
 
  All of the Martin businesses are run extremely well and for a few years now we have been using them exclusively for our water conditioner, flooring, and furniture needs.  They are very professional and courteous to a fault.
Today Kervin came and installed a new neutralizer, softener, salt tub, and RO system.  Our previous system was installed by Martin's and we decided to replace it under a deal they were running.  They called it an out of warranty replacement.  It came with an over $2,000.00 discount  / rebate for the old equipment, 0% financing for a year, a 1 year labor warranty, and a 10 year parts warranty.  Kelvin was very friendly, efficient, and did a very nice clean install.
  
 
       
   Tom Bird 
 22 days ago
 
 
  Dwayne was a great salesman.  He explained everything thoroughly and gave us some discounts.   Eric and Jason did an excellent job with the installation of the system.   Upon completion they reviewed all the components of the system with me.  They were very effective, efficient, courteous, and polite.
  
 
       
   Nate Snyder 
 23 days ago
 
 
  Kevin was awesome. Pipe cracked and there Was water going everywhere the guys over the phone helped me troubleshoot, initial steps and then Kevin swing by and got everything in tiptop.
  
 
       
   Mark Devlin 
 23 days ago
 
 
  Outstanding communication.  Duane was very friendly and informative.  He explained what he was doing, and why, status of system, and each piece of equipment,  and made recommendations based on his observations with proof to substantiate his statements.  All with a smile.
  
 
       
   Bruce Gaston 
 23 days ago
 
 
  Zach completed our water system maintenance in a professional manner. Zach detected issues with the home water system that needed immediate attention. Zach scheduled a service appointment to correct the issues.
Zach represented Martin Water Conditioning in a very professional manner.
  
 
       
   Bob Holland 
 24 days ago
 
 
  Quick and professional service. Very happy with the service provided.
  
 
       
   Dennis 
 25 days ago
 
 
  Very good installation. The only thing I wished they had done was test rhe water pH after install.
  
 
       
   Randy Ringler 
 25 days ago
 
 
  Always exceptional service from Martin Water. Zach and Jonny were excellent. Very grateful for a company you can trust.
  
 
       
   Cathy Witmer 
 25 days ago
 
 
  Zach arrived in the alloted time frame & called before coming. He was very polite & efficient.
  
 
       
   Gordon Hammond 
 36 days ago
 
 
  Excellent consultation and service from Duane.
  
 
       
   Terrence Breslin 
 37 days ago
 
 
  Luke's exceptional technical service was complimented by his demeanor in providing the best customer service possible. He handled the entire workload himself efficiently & thoroughly and the cleanup afterwards.

This is a reflection of all the Martin's techs showing consistency in providing high-quality service. I welcome Luke's service response to any & all future technical service calls.
  
 
       
   Lindsay Groves 
 45 days ago
 
 
  From the initial phone call to the installation, this company shines with professionalism and care. Eric installed our system; he was kind, professional, efficient in his skill, and even paused his work to kill a spider on my front porch for me. If I could give him 1000 stars I would (just for the spider killing.)
  
 
       
   Mark Fink 
 47 days ago
 
 
  They installed a Kinetico water softener and K5 RO unit in our home + bypassed the outdoor hose bibs.  They did a great job -- clean and thorough.  System is working great.  Highly recommend.  The entire experience was smooth and easy; they did everything they agreed to do.
  
 
       
   Jewel Greenberg 
 48 days ago
 
 
  After purchasing our new home which is on well water, I took water samples to Martin Water Conditioning. Dave (David?) answered many questions for me by phone and in person, then Loren came out to assess our current system and walk us through it since it was new to us, followed by John that same week who came out to update some of our filters and add a UV light. From start to finish, every single person we worked with was fantastic. Dave, Loren, and John were all wealths of knowledge, amenable to answering questions, and thoroughly explained the parts of the system we have, how they work together, and how to maintain them. If you're looking for a company full of knowledgable, professional, and genuinely nice people, Martin Water Conditioning is a great match. Thank you, everyone! We really appreciate the time you took with us. :)

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common causes of bad tastes or odors in home tap water?

Most taste and odor issues come from a few common sources. In municipal water, chlorine is the leading cause, added during treatment to disinfect water but often leaving a noticeable taste or smell. In well water, iron is a frequent culprit, causing a metallic or bitter taste along with rust-colored staining. Hydrogen sulfide gas, which produces a rotten-egg smell, is also common in wells throughout the Mid-Atlantic. Musty or earthy flavors are typically linked to organic matter, algae, or sediment in the water source.

A water test is the most reliable way to identify the exact cause and how severe the issue is.

Are there any tastes or smells that mean I should immediately stop drinking my water?

Yes. Certain odors can indicate potentially harmful contamination. A sewage or fecal smell may point to bacterial contamination such as E. coli. Strong chemical odors could indicate a spill, runoff, or other contamination event. Fuel-like smells, such as gasoline or diesel, may suggest issues like underground storage tank leaks.

If you notice any of these suddenly and without a clear explanation, stop drinking the tap water, switch to bottled water, and arrange for testing as soon as possible. If you’re on public water, contact your local utility to check for known issues in your area.

When I notice a strange taste or smell, should I test my water right away?

Yes, it’s best to test your water as soon as you notice a change. A shift in taste or odor usually means something in your water has changed, even if the cause turns out to be harmless. Water quality can vary with seasons, rainfall, and changes in the source supply, so testing promptly provides the most accurate picture of current conditions. A professional water analysis can quickly identify the issue and help determine the right solution.

Is water that tastes or smells bad always unsafe to drink?

Not always, but it should never be ignored. Some issues, like a mild chlorine smell or an earthy taste, are typically harmless but unpleasant. Others, such as sewage-like odors or sudden unexplained changes, may indicate contamination that poses a health risk. It’s important not to assume a long-standing taste or smell is safe. Testing is the only way to know for sure what’s in your water.

Are bad tastes and odors caused by my home, or do they occur naturally?

In most cases, they occur naturally. Minerals like iron and gases like hydrogen sulfide are commonly found in groundwater due to local geology. Chlorine taste comes from the municipal treatment process, and earthy or musty flavors often originate from natural organic matter in the water source.

However, household factors can sometimes contribute. Aging pipes may introduce metals like copper, and water heaters or plumbing systems can harbor sulfur bacteria that intensify odors. While homeowners are rarely the root cause, the condition of your plumbing and water system can influence what you experience at the tap.

Contact Us

When you need water conditioning services, trust Martin Water. For your no-obligation water analysis or for more information about our premium products, industry-leading warranties, and reliable service, contact us today!

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Does Your Water

Taste or Smell “Off”?

Does Your Water

Taste or Smell “Off”?

Family Owned & Operated

50+

Common Off-Flavors & Odors in Tap Water

Unusual Tastes & Odors, Explained

Tastes

Odors

How Can Water with Unusual Odors or Flavors Affect You & Your Home?

Unpleasant Drinking Water

Negative Health Effects

Property Damage

Removing Tastes & Odors from Your Water

What Your Neighbors Are Saying

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Us

Thank you for contacting us!

Family Owned &
Operated