Taste or smell of water in your home

Often household odors (e.g., drains, compost buckets) may be mistaken for odor in drinking water. Fill up a glass of water and move it to another room to determine if tap water is the source of the odor.   

If the odor is from hot water only, water heater maintenance may be required. HEALTH TIP: Only use cold water for cooking and drinking! Why? see our Lead and Copper webpage.

Water sitting unused in plumbing for a long period of time may develop a taste or odor from the pipe material itself. Flush suspect taps until the water runs cold to bring in fresh water from the water main serving your home.

Remove and clean faucet aerators periodically and replace water filters according to the manufacture’s guidelines.

If a taste or odor issue persists in your drinking water, contact a TVWD Water Quality Specialist at 503-848-3000.