Patrick Oconnell
Water is an essential part of our daily lives, and its quality is of utmost importance. While water generally has no taste or smell, sometimes it can take on an unusual character, such as a cheesy flavour. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including the presence of certain minerals, bacteria, or other contaminants in the water supply. While some of these factors may be harmless, others could indicate a more serious issue. In this article, we will explore the possible reasons why water might taste like cheese and provide guidance on how to address this issue.
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What You'll Learn
- Water may taste like cheese due to bacteria in the water heater
- A chlorine taste or smell in water is usually harmless but can be unpleasant
- Water with a metallic taste is not necessarily unsafe, but certain metals can cause health issues over time
- A gasoline smell may indicate dangerous contamination from fuel sources
- Water can taste like plastic due to plastic leachates, which may have health impacts
Water may taste like cheese due to bacteria in the water heater
Water tasting funny can be alarming, and while it may be harmless, it could also indicate a more serious issue. If you notice a sudden or extreme change in your drinking water's taste, you should notify the authorities.
If you suspect that your water tastes like cheese due to bacteria in the water heater, there are a few steps you can take to address the problem. Firstly, check if the hot water smells, but the cold water does not. If the cold water also smells, the issue may be with the water source rather than the water heater. If the problem is with the hot water, the smell often originates from a magnesium heating rod in the hot water tank. In this case, a licensed plumber can replace the magnesium rod with an alternative, such as an aluminum rod.
It is important to note that if the problem is with the water source, you should not use the water as it may contain harmful bacteria. If the issue is with the water heater, you can try flushing your water heater and pipes according to the manufacturer's instructions. This can help remove any built-up bacteria or sediment. If the cheese-like taste persists, you may need to contact a professional to inspect and address the issue.
While the presence of bacteria in water heaters is a common cause of unpleasant tastes and odours, there are other potential causes to consider. For example, the water's pH can affect its taste, with lower pH levels (<6.5) giving water an unpleasant, sour, or metallic flavour. Additionally, certain metals in water, such as zinc, iron, manganese, and copper, can also contribute to off-tastes, including metallic flavours.
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A chlorine taste or smell in water is usually harmless but can be unpleasant
Although it is unlikely that your water tastes like cheese, there could be a number of reasons why your water tastes or smells unpleasant. A chlorine taste or smell in water is usually harmless but can be unpleasant. Water may taste like chlorine because many systems use chlorine to disinfect their water supply. Smaller systems are particularly likely to use chlorine as a disinfectant because it is less expensive than other options, such as ozonation (using ozone to disinfect water). Chlorine is generally present in small amounts in treated water and is safe to drink at these levels. Typical levels of free chlorine in drinking water are 0.2–2.0 parts per million (ppm), although levels can be as high as 5.0 ppm. If your tap water measures over 2.0 ppm, contact your water supply authority or county health department. If it measures less than 2.0 ppm, your water is safe to drink but may be unpleasant to smell.
In some cases, the added chlorine may interact with organic materials built up in the plumbing system and add an odour to the water. The odour should disappear after running the water for a few minutes. If the problem is persistent, the entire water system should be flushed, preferably by a licensed well driller or pump installer.
Other reasons for unpleasant-tasting water include the presence of metals such as zinc, iron, manganese, and copper. Zinc and iron are generally present due to the corrosion of galvanized plumbing, whereas iron and manganese occur naturally in water sources. Manganese, in particular, can cause a sewage-like smell. The presence of copper in the water, usually from the corrosion of copper plumbing, can also cause an unpleasant taste. People can taste copper at levels of 1.3 milligrams per litre, and at this level, the metal can turn light hair greenish and be toxic to aquarium fish. However, copper only causes health issues such as stomach cramps and intestinal discomfort at levels above 60 mg/L.
If you are detecting a plastic flavour, it is likely that there are plastic leachates in your water. It is recommended that you test your water for the presence of plastic leachates. Lab tests can help you better understand the potential health impacts and how to treat your water supply.
Bacteria growing in the water heater can also produce a rotten egg or sewage-like smell. This occurs if the hot water is unused, if the water heater is turned off for a long period, or if the thermostat on the heater is set too low. Generally, the bacteria that produce this problem are not a health threat, but the taste and odour can be unpleasant.
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Water with a metallic taste is not necessarily unsafe, but certain metals can cause health issues over time
Although water with a metallic taste is not always dangerous, certain metals can cause health issues if consumed over time. Water systems are complex, and it can be challenging to trace the causes of different flavours in tap water. However, some common reasons for metallic-tasting water include the presence of zinc, iron, and manganese. Zinc usually enters the water supply when galvanized plumbing corrodes, while iron and manganese occur naturally in water sources.
Elevated iron levels are one of the most common causes of metallic-tasting water, especially for those using well water. High levels of iron can also lead to rust inside pipes, which can be visually noticeable, such as stains on laundry or plumbing fixtures. Manganese, although not typically harmful, can cause health issues at high concentrations. It is often found in tandem with iron, and people can detect its presence in water at levels of 1.3 milligrams per litre.
Other metals, such as copper and nickel, can also find their way into the water supply from pipe materials and impart a metallic taste. Copper, for example, can cause stomach cramps and intestinal discomfort at levels above 60 mg/L. Additionally, the presence of these metals may indicate the presence of toxic metals like lead, which has no flavour but can be harmful.
While not directly related to a cheesy taste, it is worth noting that bacteria growing in the water heater or drain can produce a rotten egg or sewage-like smell, which can be unpleasant. This issue is usually addressed by replacing the magnesium heating rod with an alternative, such as an aluminium rod. It is important to note that the taste and odour of water can be complex and influenced by various factors, including the water source, plumbing, and even personal taste and smell sensitivities.
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A gasoline smell may indicate dangerous contamination from fuel sources
While water rarely tastes like cheese, it can sometimes smell or taste unpleasant. This can be due to harmless reasons, such as the presence of chlorine, which is often added to the water supply as a disinfectant. However, an unusual taste or smell in your water could indicate a more serious issue. For example, a gasoline smell may indicate dangerous contamination from nearby fuel sources.
If your water smells like gasoline, it is crucial to take immediate action. The City of Milwaukee advises checking whether the smell is isolated to one faucet or present in all of them. If it's only one, it's likely a temporary issue that a plumber can address. However, if all your faucets have a gasoline odour, do not drink the water, and notify your water supplier as soon as possible. This could indicate the presence of gas or fuel in your water supply, which poses a potential health risk.
If you suspect contamination, it is essential to identify the source of the problem. The first step is to determine whether the issue originates from your plumbing system or the water source itself. If the problem is isolated to specific fixtures or faucets, it is likely due to the pipes or fixtures supplying those particular faucets. Running the water for a few minutes can help clarify this; if the odour dissipates, the issue is likely within your household plumbing system.
On the other hand, if the odour is persistent and affects all water sources, the problem is probably with the main water supply. In this case, it is crucial to contact your water provider, especially if your neighbours experience similar issues. They can investigate and address the potential contamination.
While unpleasant tastes or odours in your water may be harmless, it is always better to be cautious and investigate the cause. If you are unsure, it is best to contact the relevant authorities for guidance. Your health and safety are paramount, so taking proactive measures to ensure the quality of your water is essential.
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Water can taste like plastic due to plastic leachates, which may have health impacts
Although the taste of cheese in water may be concerning, it is important to note that the link between how water tastes and what's in it is not always straightforward. While some tastes may indicate harmless origins, certain flavours can signify issues in the water supply.
Water can taste like plastic due to plastic leachates, which may have potential health impacts. Plastic leachates are compounds that can be found in water, and they can affect the taste and potentially pose health risks. It is recommended to test your water for the presence of these compounds to better understand the potential health impacts and how to treat your water supply effectively.
The first step in reducing the plastic taste in your water is to flush out your pipes, especially if you have recently installed new plastic pipes. If flushing your pipes does not resolve the issue, activated carbon is another effective treatment option for taste issues caused by volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Reverse osmosis is also a potential solution, depending on the source of the plastic taste.
It is worth noting that the taste of plastic in your water may be accompanied by other signs, such as a rotten egg or sewage-like smell. This could be due to bacteria growing in the water heater, which is more common when the hot water is unused or the thermostat is set too low. While these bacteria are typically not a health threat, they can cause an unpleasant taste and odour.
If you experience a persistent plastic taste in your water, it is advisable to notify the authorities or experts in water quality. They can guide you in identifying the source of the issue and provide appropriate solutions to ensure your water is safe and pleasant to consume.
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Frequently asked questions
Water tasting like cheese could be due to the presence of bacteria in the water heater, which can give off a sewage-like smell. This usually happens when the hot water is unused for a long time or if the thermostat on the heater is set too low.
Although the bacteria that produce this problem are generally not a health threat, it is recommended to not use the water as it may contain harmful bacteria.
If the hot water smells, but the cold water does not, the smell likely originates from a magnesium heating rod in the hot water tank. A licensed plumber can replace it with an alternative such as an aluminum rod. If the problem persists, the odor may be coming from the water source.
To prevent your water from tasting like cheese, you can regularly flush your water heater and plumbing system. This helps remove any built-up bacteria or organic matter that could be causing the unpleasant taste and odor.
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