Are you noticing an “earthy” or “musty” taste or smell in your tap water today? That’s not uncommon for this time of year, and it may be pronounced right now due to increased Lake Michigan water temperature. For some, this may create noticeable changes in their water. That’s especially the case for those that have a heightened sensitivity to certain tastes or smells.
During these occasional occurrences, it's important to know that Manitowoc Public Utilities performs daily water quality sampling and reports that our drinking water is safe and continues to meet all water quality standards.
Below are Answers to Frequently Asked Questions and some helpful tips regarding this topic:
Is my water safe to drink?
Yes. These seasonal changes to the taste and smell of Lake Michigan water are not harmful. MPU and the Water Authority are committed to providing safe, quality drinking water to our customers every time they turn on the tap. MPU’s water treatment plant utilizes microfiltration membranes as an absolute physical barrier that removes the harmful organisms and other substances found in untreated water. Water that passes through the microfiltration process undergoes 31 tests each day on weekdays, and 26 tests each day on weekends, ensuring that the water is safe.
What’s causing the smell and taste?
Seasonal changes in water taste and smell are not uncommon for Great Lakes water supplies resulting from variations in the organic content found naturally in bodies of water, including Lake Michigan. Taste and smell issues most commonly occur in the spring and fall, when temperature swings can cause the water to “turn over.” MPU has noted that the water temperature in Lake Michigan has been warmer than normal over these last few weeks of the summer. Unusual tastes and smells can also naturally occur when algae and other plants are growing. Although plant material is removed during the treatment process, smells can sometimes persist. Customers typically characterize this taste and smell as “earthy,” or “musty.” This is not harmful and should go away as temperatures cool in the coming weeks.
Why doesn’t everyone notice the difference?
A human’s ability to taste and smell is amazing. It is not unusual for humans to be able to detect variations in air and water down to the parts per trillion – a very low concentration, and more sensitive than even most modern sensing technology. People’s sensitivity to this “earthy” or “musty” taste can vary widely, so not all customers notice the change.
How long will these tastes and smells persist?
These impacts to the taste and smell of the water are temporary. Typically, these seasonal changes in water quality do not last more than several days.
Is there anything I can do to improve this in my home or business?
Here are some helpful steps you can take…
- Run cold-water faucets for 10-15 minutes to exchange the water that has been sitting in the service line and interior plumbing with fresh water from the main.
- Do you have a water softener? If it is in use, make sure it is functioning properly and has not become plugged. If you have a water softener that is no longer being used, make sure it has been switched to bypass mode. A softener can also be bypassed temporarily to see if that improves the taste or smell.
- Has there been any plumbing done in the house recently? Plumbing work can cause a temporary residual taste from pipe dope, flux, or solder. Flushing faucets for 10-15 minutes can help reduce this taste.
- Is the unusual taste or smell present in water from all of the faucets? If it is only one or two faucets, and not in all the faucets in the home, then it may be an internal problem with the plumbing.
- If you fill a glass of water and take it to another room, does the water still have an unusual taste or smell? If not, then the smell may be coming from a sink drain. A sink drain can trap odor which can be released and vented by running water.
- Has it been a month or more since faucet heads and aerators were last cleaned? Faucets and aerators can be a place for mineral buildup or even hosting bacterial growth that imparts a taste or smell to the water. Soaking a faucet head in vinegar for several minutes can help remove minerals, and dipping a faucet head in bleach kills any bacteria. If possible, also remove the aerator and clean it separately for the best results. Run the faucet for several minutes after each of these procedures before drinking.
- If you still have concerns about your water quality, please contact your local water utility, and they would be happy to review the safety of your drinking water. Information on how to contact your community's water utility can be found here.