Why your water tastes bad ?(and how to fix it)

You turn on the tap to drink a glass of water, and then... you are surprised by an unpleasant taste. Chlorine, metallic, earthy or even chalky tastes: these sensations are common and often harmless, but they can make you want to avoid drinking tap water.

In this article, we explain why tap water can taste bad and, more importantly, what simple solutions are available to remedy this.

Should we be concerned about the taste of water?

In most cases, unpleasant-tasting water does not indicate a health hazard. However, be alert if:

the taste or smell suddenly becomes very strong or unusual,
the water changes colour or contains particles,
or you experience digestive symptoms after consumption.

In these cases, contact your water supplier or local council, or request a water quality analysis.

The main causes of bad-tasting water

Several factors can alter the taste of drinking water. Here are the most common ones.

A taste of chlorine
Chlorine is commonly used by health authorities to disinfect drinking water and prevent the spread of bacteria. This treatment is mandatory, particularly in urban areas, but it can sometimes leave a strong, chemical taste, especially when water is not used frequently in pipes (second homes, long absences, etc.).
A metallic taste
A taste of iron, copper or lead may indicate the presence of dissolved metals in your water. This often occurs in older homes, where the pipes still contain outdated materials.
If the taste persists, have your water tested by a laboratory or contact your local council.
👉 Ministry of Health - tap water
A taste of earth or mould
This taste is often caused by the presence of geosmin or microscopic algae in the water, particularly in summer or after heavy rainfall. Although harmless, this earthy or mouldy taste is very unpleasant.
A taste of limestone
In areas where the water is very hard (rich in calcium and magnesium), it can have a chalky or mineral taste. This taste is accentuated when heated (e.g. kettle, tea, etc.).
💡 Good to know: limescale is not harmful to health, but it can affect the taste and efficiency of your household appliances.

Solutions to improve the taste of your water

Fortunately, there are several simple options for improving the taste of your tap water.

Carafe en verre qui verse de l'eau fraîche

Let the water stand to reduce the chlorine content.

If your water has a strong chlorine taste, simply leaving it to stand in an open container in the refrigerator for a few hours will allow much of the chlorine to evaporate naturally. This is a simple and very effective everyday solution.

©Wallace Chuck

Use natural activated charcoal

Sticks of activated charcoal (often made from oak or bamboo) can be placed in a bottle of water to capture chlorine, organic residues and certain heavy metals. This improves the taste and smell of the water.

However, the water needs to be in contact with the activated charcoal for a certain amount of time for this to be effective.

canalisations en cuivre qui contaminent l'eau

Monitor pipes and internal network

Sometimes, the metallic or stagnant taste of water does not come from the water itself, but from the pipes.

Consider:

Running the water for a few seconds if it has been stagnant for a long time.
Checking whether any recent work has been carried out on the network.
Consulting your local council or water operator if in doubt.

eau sale et eau propre filtrée par le filtre à eau orisa

What should I do if my water tastes good...
but is contaminated?

Improving the taste of water is important. But it does not guarantee that it is safe to drink, especially if you use rainwater, well water, or water from an unreliable network.

Some water may be clear, odourless and taste good, yet contain dangerous microorganisms:

Bacteria (E. coli, salmonella),
Viruses (rotavirus, norovirus),
Protozoa (giardia, cryptosporidium).

These contaminants can cause serious illnesses, particularly in children, the elderly and immunocompromised individuals. In these cases, it is essential to go beyond taste filtration: the water must be purified, i.e. invisible pathogens must be eliminated.

Water contamination

Purificateur d'eau autonome et durable ORISA à côté d'un récupérateur d'eau de pluie

If you have doubts about the microbiological quality of your water (rainwater, well water, or water from an unreliable network), it is not enough for it to taste good. Water can be clear, fresh and odourless, yet contain invisible pathogens or emerging pollutants such as microplastics.

The ORISA^® water purifier is a low-tech solution that can make contaminated water drinkable without the use of electricity or chemicals. It effectively eliminates:

99.999999% of bacteria (e.g. E. coli)
99.999% of viruses (e.g. rotavirus, norovirus)
Protozoa and microplastics present in many water sources

Its high-performance ultrafiltration membrane can filter up to 20,000 litres of water before needing to be replaced. This is equivalent to several years of use for a family.

Designed for humanitarian emergencies, the device is now used in many contexts: isolated villages, post-disaster areas, schools, etc.

Discover the ORISA^® water purifier