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.

      
   4.91105 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.

      
   4.91105 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

    
 
 
        
   Lindsay Groves 
 3 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 
 5 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 
 6 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. :)
  
 
       
   Elyse Eberhardt 
 7 days ago
 
 
  Chris was a pleasure to work with. Easy to talk to and understand, and readily available for any questions or issues. Kervin and Dan were wonderful with our installation. They were as pleasant as could be, and very knowledgeable and efficient. They went out of their way for us, knowing we were on a time frame. We will absolutely be using Martin’s again in the future and will recommend them to everyone!
  
 
       
   Carmen Quiñones 
 7 days ago
 
 
  Today Kervin was working in our house and he did an excellent job! He is a very nice person and very  polite.
  
 
       
   Deborah Maurer 
 7 days ago
 
 
  I love my water softener! Kervin did an excellent job. He was very efficient and customer friendly!
  
 
       
   LEROY SHEARER 
 7 days ago
 
 
  Zack did a great job.  Was diligent and professional
  
 
       
   Eric Ray 
 10 days ago
 
 
  Eric and Jason showed up at the proper time, explained their work to me and did a wonderful job install. They were both professional, neat, organized and respected our home. I would definitely use them again.
  
 
       
   Rick Musk 
 11 days ago
 
 
  Honest answers on MARTINS Water Conditioning— This is a spectacular company with knowledgeable, professional installers that employed by this company. Dwayne Martin ,Kervin, ,Jay. I have 6+ Contractors , Construction , Painters, Driveways , Plumbers, Electrician I have worked with my clients for the last 26+years as a REALTOR Real Estate . Martins is the BEST🇺🇸🙏
  
 
       
   T O'Leary 
 16 days ago
 
 
  My husband and I adore Duane. He is considered family. He has taken care of our water system for many years now. We don't want another guy. He is fast, efficient,  friendly and just plain wonderful!!!! Thank you for all you do and that killer smile doesn't hurt😉 P.s. This is the same review I've given him before but it's the truth so no need to change it.
  
 
       
   Okday 
 22 days ago
 
 
  Very professional
  
 
       
   Mike Sabocheck 
 22 days ago
 
 
  Martin Water is a first class professional company to do business with. Their employees are always professional, polite, and trustworthy. Glad we chose them for our water needs.
  
 
       
   Barbara McLaughlin 
 23 days ago
 
 
  Eric H was excellent in explaining, installing and demonstrating how my new system works.  He was very neat, considerate and made sure all my questions were addressed.  Chris also was excellent in addressing my water situation and placement of the system.  Thank you.
  
 
       
   Following Jesus 
 23 days ago
 
 
  Martins Conditioning is the one place where I can put my trust in for all around Top Quality in the appliances and the workmanship that are provided. I know that I can count on Martins if I would ever need them.
  
 
       
   Christina MacNeill 
 23 days ago
 
 
  Wendell was friendly, professional, and knowledgeable.
  
 
       
   Kim Stone 
 24 days ago
 
 
  Great customer service! The technician, Duane, arrived on time, was also very friendly and knowledgeable.
  
 
       
   Rick Loncosky 
 29 days ago
 
 
  Kervin was just a pleasure to have worked on our new system. Great personality and his knowledge of water systems is top notch. Thank You “Martins Water”  👍
  
 
       
   Daniel Sutorius 
 29 days ago
 
 
  Another excellent water processing equipment service call today by Duane of Martin Watering Conditioning. The service call was on time and ran with no surprises. Duane was very professional and clean and thorough. He kept me informed along the way and explained each step before proceeding. Pricing was very fair given all the work that was performed. Will certainly use Martin again on future service calls.
  
 
       
   Don HB 
 30 days ago
 
 
  Eric & Caden were great. They knew their stuff, they were polite, and they problem solved. Thanks for having such a great team.
  
 
       
   Laura 
 30 days ago
 
 
  We have been a customer of Martin for about 5 years now. I researched our options back when we were thinking about installing a water system and haven’t been disappointed in our decision. Duane, the Martin representative servicing our system, was terrific and made some important recommendations to improve our water quality. I appreciated his attention to detail and how he kept me informed of his progress. Highly recommend Martin Water Conditioning.
  
 
       
   Kelly Wagner 
 31 days ago
 
 
  Wendall was super knowledgeable and super helpful with preventing a Potential problem! Super customer service, highly recommended!
  
 
       
   Jim Herman 
 31 days ago
 
 
  Excellent sales and installation. Keevin was great at installation and Dwayne was a pleasure to work with on the contract. They really care about customer service !
  
 
       
   JJ D 
 31 days ago
 
 
  The entire Martin staff are always on time, courteous, and more than skilled and efficient.  Duane was our technician for this round of service. He is wonderful to work with  and more than happy to explain the system, as well as fully outline and demonstrate any problems and/or services s in full detail. Being in service all of my career I have to say it's always a pleasure working with them and never disappointed. Highly recommend this organization for any of your water softening and water treatment needs. Thank you Duane and to all the other technicians that constantly deliver Top Notch service to our home!
  
 
       
   Steve Miller 
 32 days ago
 
 
  Zach showed up at time promised. Answered all my questions and completed his work in a timely manner
  
 
       
   Arthur Royce 
 34 days ago
 
 
  We just had a new water softener system installed. Eric H. did an excellent job with the installation. I think the basement was cleaner when he finished than when he started. The piping was neatly laid out and well marked. He also took me down to the basement to explain what he did, how he set it up and what I should do going forward. Eric explained things well and asked if I had any questions. I highly recommend Martin Water Conditioning.

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