Tips on How to Fix Home Water Quality Issues

Does Your Home’s Water Smell or Taste Funny? Here’s the Cause – and What it Means for Your Health

When homeowners turn on their water tap, they expect it to be clean and safe. However, sometimes that is not the case. There are many causes of water having a strange taste, smell, or color, with just as many effects on health and home. Understanding them – and how to fix them – is crucial for a healthy and well-maintained household.

Why is the Water Brown?

One of the most common water quality problems that homeowners face is brown colored water. Fortunately, it is not (usually) a major health threat. When water is brown, it means that there are sediments getting into the water. It is not typically dangerous, so you can wash with it or even drink it in some cases – although that is not recommended. It is, however, a bad look for any homeowner’s stainless steel or porcelain fixtures. It tends to dirty sinks, faucets, and toilets and can corrode them with prolonged exposure in some circumstances.

Over time, minerals, sediment and rust can accumulate in water mains. These mineral deposits normally adhere to the inner surface of the pipe. When water has a brownish color, it indicates that something is going on in the water main to disturb normal function, or something is stirring up these deposits in the pipes in a house. There are many different reasons why this might occur, but one of the most common causes for residential brown water is rust (oxidized iron) being dislodged because of the repair of leaky pipes. Replacement of water pipes next to older rusty pipes can also be a cause. During water system repairs, the pressure of the water can change or drop dramatically. As such, when normal water pressure comes back, loose rust can be blown out along with the repressurized water.

Another possible cause of residential brown water is main breaks and construction adjacent to the piping. This activity can stir up sediments and cause the water to change color. Another potential cause is the surging water flow through the pipes because of increased demands, such as the local fire department opening a fire hydrant to get water in an emergency. In any case, the increased water flow dislodges the mineral deposits that have adhered to the inner walls of the pipe and turn the water brown.

Main breaks and adjacent construction can also stir up these sediments and cause the water to change color. Other causes include a surge in water flow through the pipes due to increased demands and even if the local fire department has opened a hydrant to get water for an emergency. Again, in both cases, the increase in water flow dislodges mineral deposits that have adhered to the interior of the pipes over time.

Usually, brown tap water clears up within a few hours. Running the water for a while generally fixes the problem, but it will be necessary to call a professional plumber or contractor if the problem persists – because that is when the issue can become more dangerous.

Although short-term brown water is not typically dangerous, in the long-term it can begin to pose a serious health concern. According to Berkley Wellness:

“Though rusty water may look and taste unpleasant—and possibly stain sinks and clothing—it is not a health concern. A possible exception is people with hemochromatosis, a rare disorder that causes excess iron accumulation in body organs.”

If the brown water problem continues for more than a few hours, there are probably leaking and rusted out pipes that can cause bigger problems. For one, bacteria can grow in rusted water much more easily than clean water. And of course, when rust builds up, it can crack or corrode plumbing pipe systems and expose the supply of water to a wide range of contaminants. Since that will cause a leak, which will cause mildew and molds to grow rapidly in a structure, this can be a major hazard to safety and health. Inhaling mold and its spores can cause respiratory problems, allergies, and other illnesses. The leak from a rusted pipe can also cause structural supports to rot out and weaken, leading to the risk of a house’s structure collapsing.

And while the health and safety hazards are a serious concern, brown and rusted water is also disgusting and tastes foul (no surprise: it tastes very metallic). It can damage and soil clothes and eat away at fixtures. Minerals such as iron will attach to almost all surfaces they encounter, even in very low concentrations. Iron levels as minimal as 0.3 parts per million can stain items of clothing and fixtures. That is an extremely low concentration, not even high enough to see. While iron water stains can be removed with some effort by various methods (hot water with concentrated dish washing soap, or baking soda, or vinegar). But that is not something any homeowner wants to do over and over. It is wise to fix these sorts of problems at the source and contact a professional. Even if rusted water is a short-term issue that does not pose a greater threat, it makes it impossible to shower comfortably and effectively, and obviously is not good to drink.

How to Clear Brown Rusted Water

There are a number of steps homeowners can take to eliminate brown water from iron oxidation. Here is the process to remove the problem and get clean, high-quality water:

• Run cold water from the tap for 30 minutes. If the brown water is flushed out and becomes clear, the problem is temporary and there is no reason to take any further steps.
• If the water clears after 30 minutes or longer of running, but there are still spurts of brown water or chunks of oxidated iron, homeowners may want to consider using a water softener or a water filtration system. These options can proactively remove iron particles from the water supply. These can be a bit of an inconvenience though since they need routine maintenance. Although that maintenance can be performed by the homeowner most of the time, some filtration systems can require a professional water treatment worker to complete the maintenance.
• If the house has water sourced from a well and there have been more heavy rains than usual, the problem likely stems from significant alterations in the local water table. Water table fluctuation, in many cases, can be so serious that the water treatment in place when it happens cannot handle the excess iron. Homeowners can consider a filtration system or other iron removal solutions if this is the case.
• If the water does not clear after 30 minutes or more of running continuously and the house’s water comes from a local water utility, check with neighbors to see if they are experiencing the same problem. If so, the issue is most likely to be caused by the public water system. This would be the time to call the city or the local water utility provider. Ask them to inspect the pipes and flush the pipes from their system’s end. If the local water utility is not able to find a reason for the problem and the rusted water is still flowing out, or the problem is limited to one home, move on to the next step in this process.
• If none of the above steps work, test to see if the brown and rusted water is coming from hot or cold water. If the brown water comes only from hot water, then the house’s water heater requires flushing out. Iron oxide scale within the home’s water heater can fall down to the bottom of the heater and muddy the water. Another possibility is that the water tank is beginning to rust and polluting the water. Rust from hot water is also a sign that the water heater is close to the end of its lifespan, but whatever the source of the problem is, homeowners are wise to contact a licensed professional plumber or contractor.
• If none of the above applies, the issue is more complex and requires inspection by a qualified plumber. They will be able to identify the cause of the problem and provide an effective and lasting solution. They can determine how best to fix it, but it is important to remember that this is not a “do it yourself” project that can be done by going to a plumbing supply store to get water softener and installing it over a weekend. Figuring out which water softener or filtration system is best and installing it is a very big project. And in many cases, a water softener or filter may fail to amend the issue. A local expert with a large body of knowledge and experience with water quality in the area who can determine the cause of the problem and the correct solution to fix it.

What Does it Mean When the Water Smells?

Homeowners can occasionally experience foul odors in their house’s water supply. In some circumstances, the precise reason for the odor is hard to figure out with standard water testing. However, there are ways to identify the problem that homeowners can use to determine the best course of action.

First of all, locate the source of the odor. The method for doing this is isolating the source of odors. This can be achieved by filling a glass with water and moving away from the sink to test for odor. If the glass has no smell, the problem is likely in the sink drain. Sink drains are the most common source of odors, but they are not rooted in the water supply and can be fixed with simple flushing and disinfection of the drain.

If the odor comes from water that originates from a well, it can be caused by contamination from surface runoff. Other causes include improperly placed septic systems or leaking underground storage tanks. The smells can include bleach, gasoline-like odors, fishy odors, earthy odors, musty odors, or the sulfurous odor.

Odors can originate from plumbing systems too, or from hot water heaters. Organic matter can become trapped in plumbing and pipes, and release sulfurous and sewage-like odors that, and the organic matter can interact with chlorine from public water supplies too. Hot water heaters can generate odors if not used for a long period, or if the thermostat is set too low. In these cases, flushing is the best course of action.

Homeowners who suspect their problem comes from their plumbing system can follow a process to determine what the source of the smell is, created by the University of Georgia:

• Check the faucets. If the odors do not occur in all faucets, especially if it goes away after running water for a brief period of time, “the cause of the odor is somewhere in the fixtures or pipes supplying those specific faucets” according to the University of Georgia. If the odors occur in all faucets, move on to the next step.
• Check to see whether the problem goes away after running the water for a few minutes. If it does go away after a brief flush, then the cause of the odor is likely “somewhere in the plumbing system only, not in the water source (the well system or the water supply line, if on a public water supply)” according to the University of Virginia. If the problem does not go away after running for a few minutes, then move on to the next step.
• Check the hot and cold water for the odor. As mentioned above, pour both the hot and cold water into two glasses and step away from the sink. Smell the glasses. If the hot water glass is the only one that smells, the cause of the odor is probably the magnesium rod in the hot water tank. According to the City of Payette, Idaho “very often, replacing the standard magnesium or aluminum anode rod with an aluminum/zinc alloy anode will solve the problem. The zinc is a key ingredient since pure aluminum anodes will also reek to high heaven.” An aluminum/zinc anode is a cheap fix to the problem, but do not install more than one as that will worsen the smell. Water softeners will also worsen the smell in many cases. If the problem occurs in both hot and cold water, then the problem is likely coming from the water source or from both the water source and the plumbing system. This can be confirmed by checking with neighbors to see if they are also experiencing a similar odor from their water.

Of course, knowing where the problem comes from is not the same as know what the problem is. Identifying the odor is important to identifying the cause of the problem.

If the odor is a bleach or medicinal odor, it probably has to do with chlorine. Chlorine in water is normal, as public water providers typically chlorinate water slightly to prevent bacterial growth. Free chlorine levels in public drinking water are usually about 0.2 to 2.0 parts per million, but in some cases can be raised as high as 5.0 parts per million. Odors that come from a chlorine raise will usually go away if the water is exposed to air for several minutes, so this can be tested by homeowners by pouring the water on a bowl or plate and waiting for 15 minutes before checking the odor again.

Adding chlorine to the water supply during shock chlorination (sometimes done by public water utilities to take care of microbial contamination problems) will often produce a strong bleach odor. The smell of bleach will disappear when the chlorine completely dissipates. Turning on all outside faucets and allowing the water to run until the smell is gone will often fix this. Under some circumstances, an increase in chlorine levels can interact with organic substances that have built up inside the plumbing system and pipes, but in these cases the smell will disappear after running the water for 5 to 10 minutes. If the water smells like bleach and comes from a private well system, and appears to be coming from the plumbing or well system, then it should be flushed by a professional plumber.

If the odor smells like rotten eggs (a sulfur smell) or like sewage, then the odor is most likely due to bacterial activity. Bacteria can grow in drains, which is the most common cause of rotting odors. Various types of organic matter such as food waste, hair, and soap scum can build up inside the walls of the drain. Bacteria grow on these deposits and feed the bacteria while they grow and reproduce. During their life cycle, bacteria produce gases that smell like rotting eggs or sewage. To fix this, disinfect the drain with bleach or other disinfectants and consider using drain cleaners to remove the deposits, or consider contacting a professional plumber.

If the rotten eggs smell is coming from hot water and there is reason to believe the water heater is the source, then it could be due to a number of issues. If hot water is unused or if the water heater is left off for a long period of time, bacteria can grow. The thermostat on the water heater can also be a cause if it is set too low. Although the bacteria that grow in water heaters are not usually a serious health threat, they can be in some cases and the odor and taste can be awful. As mentioned earlier, this can be due to a magnesium heating rod in the hot water tank, and an aluminum/zinc alloy replacement can resolve the odor if this is the case. These can be installed by licensed plumbers.

If the bacterial rotten egg smell is coming from a well, then there is serious cause for concern. The water may contain harmful bacteria and should not be consumed or used in any way. Shock chlorination is one option, but this will only be a temporary fix unless the bacterial growth is due to natural groundwater chemical fluctuations. It is smart to contact the county health department in any case, since an improperly placed or defective septic system may be near the well. If the water comes from a public water system and there is a bacterial rotting smell, contact the water utility or local health department as soon as possible.

If the odor has more of an earthy, musty, moldy, grassy, or fishy odor, the situation is more complex. These odors are usually harmless, although there are rare exceptions. The human sense of smell is highly sensitive, so very small concentrations of harmless contaminants can trigger a noticeable odor or taste. These odors are most often due to decaying organic matter or water pollution due to surface drainage. Bacteria can cause this problem in both cases. Homeowners may find this problem comes from a reservoir or pressure tank, which is why cleaning and maintenance of these tanks is important. Regular cleaning and maintenance prevents bacteria from growing to a level that causes the odor. Less often, the problem is due to microbes like algae, bacteria, or fungi in the water supply – particularly during warm weather – that affects the water odor. When in doubt, do not drink the water and contact the water utility or local health department, and consider calling a licensed plumber.

If the odor has a petroleum, gasoline/fuel, turpentine or solvent odor, the situation is far more serious. Although rare, these odors are usually due to leaking fuel tanks near wells or leaking water pipes, factory or landfill discharge contaminating the water supply, or runoff from agriculture tainting the water supply. Drinking this water can lead to severe adverse health effects such as anemia, increased cancer risk, liver and kidney failure, and many more. The best course of action for homeowners that encounter this smell is to report the issue to the local health department and water utility, and to stop drinking the water immediately.

There are many other odors that can afflict homeowners, but a few of the more common ones not listed above include:

• Detergent odor (usually with foaming water). This is probably caused by septic tank leakage into the water supply. It can cause gastrointestinal illnesses such as diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach cramps, and it can be dangerous. For well owners, the University of Georgia recommends they “eliminate [the] source and shock chlorinate [the] well.”
• Tangy or tart taste or odor. This is most likely the result of tannin contamination. Tannins are a class of organic chemicals that are the natural byproduct of fermentation, also found in wine and tea. They can be created as water passes through decaying vegetation, organic material, or peaty soil. They are not a health concern, but they can cause staining and water discoloration.
• Methane gas odor. This is probably caused be either 1) the natural decay of organic material in shallow wells near swamps or 2) houses being above or near old landfills or aquifers that overlie oil fields. The gas is explosive, flammable, and extremely toxic to inhale or ingest. For well owners, a well vent can remove some methane from certain wells, but contacting a certified plumber or well contractor is the only way to be sure. Aeration is also one option for methane removal, and well owners can install a residential deaeration system and repump to treat the problem.
• Sharp chemical odor. This is likely due to pesticides or other pollutants contaminating groundwater. These can cause anemia and several other disorders of the blood, nervous system disorders, reproductive issues, increased cancer risk, and organ failure (particularly of the stomach, liver and kidneys). Activated carbon filters or reverse osmosis filters may help, but this is an issue that need to be fixed at the source, so contact local health authorities.

What Causes Stains on Plumbing Fixtures?

Many homeowners experience stains on their plumbing fixtures. There are many different possible causes for these stains, but there are a few that are more common than others:

• Blue or green colored stains. Stains that range from green to blue are usually from corrosion of copper in the house’s plumbing system or pipes. In houses with copper pipes, this is not an uncommon issue, but houses without copper pipes can sometimes experience it for other reasons.
• Reddish to yellow or tan colored stains. Stains that have a reddish, yellowish, tannish, or buff color are typically caused by iron. Iron levels as low as 0.3 parts per million in water can stain clothes or fixtures. This is one of the most common causes of fixture stains.
• Dark brown to black stains. Stains that have a dark brown or black color are usually the result of manganese. Manganese can stain fixtures and clothes at levels as low as 0.05 parts per million. Manganese contamination often co-occurs with iron contamination.

But they do damage fixtures, appliances, and clothing. The discoloration that these minerals cause is from their oxidation. In plumbing systems, which are sealed to be air- and water-tight, the water ideally has very little exposure to oxygen. The unoxidized forms of these metals are more soluble in water, and when they are dissolved, they are usually not visible or cause for concern. However, when the chemicals come out of the faucet in tap water, they can react with oxygen to form less soluble oxides that can build up on fixtures to cause visible stains.

In trace amounts, these minerals are actually vital nutrients for the human body that may even have health benefits. The story is a little bit different when it comes to their effects on water quality. Some microbes, mostly bacteria species, can grow more easily in water that is rich in manganese and iron. These bacteria are not usually a major health threat (although in some rare cases they can be), they can contribute to the clogging of plumbing systems and reduce flow rates from house’s faucets and other appliances.

Another possible cause of staining is tannins. As mentioned earlier, tannins are a fairly common organic contaminant in water, resulting from natural decay and fermentation processes. Tannins do not present any health risks, but they do stain fixtures and make water taste tart or tangy. They are found in wine and tea, and much like wine and tea they stain pretty much every fixture or fabric they come into contact with. Because they stain everything they touch, they can be a serious aesthetic issue.

Common tannin treatment requires an organic scavenging anion exchange resin. This anion resin are highly vulnerable to water hardness, so they are usually paired with a water softener to prevent this problem. The water softener prolongs the lifespan of the organic scavenging anion exchange resin and improves the elimination of tannins. Organic scavenging anion exchange resins must be regenerated routinely with a solution of baking soda and salt water. If this maintenance regeneration is not performed, the water will develop a fishy odor caused by the fouled organic scavenging anion exchange resin. Organic scavenging anion exchange resin systems can also alter the levels of chloride, alkalinity, and sulfate in water, so homeowners that opt for them should monitor these levels after installing these systems. Oxidation and filtration systems are another way to eliminate tannins, but they are more complex. Whichever option homeowners choose, they should contact a professional and licensed plumber to get them installed.

What Causes Scale Deposits to Form?

Scale, the chalky deposit that builds up commonly in bathrooms, is a result of hard water. Water hardness is a quality of water referring to the level of dissolved calcium and magnesium compounds (and sometimes other divalent and trivalent metal elements). Hard water can cause more than scale though; stiff and dingy laundry, mineral deposits on dishes and glasses, higher soap use and the need for fabric softeners, and high energy costs are also consequences of hard water.

Hardness is easily detectable because of its soap wasting properties. Hardness stops soap from lathering since it causes a water insoluble curdy precipitate to form. This is most noticeable in cooking pans, so homeowners can tell when their water is too hard just from doing the dishes. Scale, of course, is another reliable indicator.

Hard water can also cause a variety of plumbing issues, since scale can form on the inside of pipes and cause other problems. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, “water hardness varies throughout the United States. In areas of the country where the water is relatively hard, industries might have to spend money to soften their water, as hard water can damage equipment.”

Various chemical water softening systems, cation exchange softening systems, membrane separation softening, and nano filtration can all help. A qualified plumber can help homeowners review these options and choose the best for their home.

Water Testing & Solutions

Whether you’ve just moved into a new home or you’re in your house of many years and the water quality isn’t at the level you’d prefer, it’s best to consult the professionals. Contact your local plumbers or if you happen to be in the greater Southwest Florida area, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Bergau Home & Commercial Services. A professional can not only assess the specific problems within your water, but they can suggest and follow through with a solution to your water quality problem!