Tap water tastes, smells or looks strange? Find the cause
Most tap water has no noticeable taste. When it does, the cause is usually in the home: the DWI says water picks up traces from “plumbing and water fittings or appliances” and that this is “the most common cause of unusual or strange tastes.” Check other taps and your neighbours first, then use the Symptom Checker below. A sudden, strong taste or smell is a reason to call your water company.
DWI Last checked 28 Sep 2026 Get the Complete Kit · £45- The DWI’s own explanations, linked
- What each taste usually means
- When to call your water company
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Three ways to check a taste or smell
All water tests Broad first screenComplete Drinking Water Test Kit
Choose this if you are not sure what the taste is, or the water has changed and you want a wider look.
1 × E. coli 1 × lead 1 × arsenic 5 × chlorine 5 × fluorideE. coli, lead and arsenic, plus chlorine and fluoride.
£55 £45 View kitChlorine Test Kit (5x)
For a chlorine or swimming-pool taste: check the level, and compare taps or days.
Chlorine · 5 strips £14.95 £12.45 View kitE. coli Test
For a musty, earthy or stagnant smell on a private supply or a tank.
E. coli £15.95 View kit What a home screen doesn't cover: most taste compounds, iron and manganese need a lab. Your water company can investigate a taste or smell.Is this you?
Start from what you notice
Pick the card closest to what you notice. Each one takes you to the right part of this guide.
COMMON Chlorine or swimming pool The most common taste. Why it happens and how to reduce it. Chlorine guide →Symptom Checker
What is your water telling you?
Five quick taps: what you notice, which taps, whether neighbours have it, when it started and where your water comes from. You get the likely cause, what to try, and when to call your water company.
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Where tastes and smells come from
Most tastes and smells start inside the home, not at the water works. The DWI says “Water may pick up traces of substances from your plumbing and water fittings or appliances and this situation is the most common cause of unusual or strange tastes.” DWI Tap a number on the diagram at the top of the page, or read the four points below.
1 The mains supply Chlorine keeps water safe in the pipes. “Normal levels should be kept low enough to not be noticeable, however you may sometimes notice a slight taste or smell of chlorine” DWI Affects every tap, often neighbours too. 2 Pipes and tanks “Water in contact with copper, iron or galvanised pipes, tanks or fittings for long periods may pick up a metallic or bitter flavour.” DWI Often worse first thing in the morning. 3 Appliances and hoses “A common cause of TCP like tastes is the hoses that are used to connect domestic appliances to the water supply.” DWI Kettles, washing machines, dishwashers. 4 The sink and drain A rotten smell may not be the water at all. Take a glass into another room: if the smell has gone, “the issue is likely to be with the sink or the drains” DWI. Try the glass test first.Taste by taste: what it usually means
The DWI's guide covers each taste in turn DWI. Here is what each one usually means, in its words.
Chlorine or swimming pool“The most common method of disinfecting drinking water is to use chlorine.” DWI See the chlorine guide for how to reduce it. TCP or medicinal“Chemical reactions can occur between chlorine and chemicals in kettles, rubber or plastic components within your domestic plumbing system, which lead to antiseptic and medicinal tastes.” DWI “This taste is not harmful at the levels usually seen in tap water but can be very unpleasant.” DWIMetallic or bitter“This can be more noticeable when the water has been warmed.” DWI “Flushing of the tap before use will draw fresh water through the pipes and fittings and remove the taste.” DWIPlastic or rubbery“Unapproved fittings and plumbing materials can leach out compounds which cause undesirable tastes.” DWIWoody or pencilOld black plastic pipes: “When water is in contact with these pipes for an extended period of time it can pick up a taste which is similar to that of a wooden pencil.” DWIMusty or earthy“The taste is caused by harmless naturally occurring bacteria or fungi which can grow, especially on rubber fittings.” DWI “Running your taps for a few minutes should remove any stale water.” DWISalty or chemical“Incorrectly installed softeners, treatment devices and filters or those which are not functioning correctly may result in backflow of water with added salt in it.” DWIRotten, stagnant or sewageIf the smell stays when you move the glass away from the sink, “this could indicate an issue with your plumbing, and you should contact your water company immediately.” DWI Petrol, diesel or fuel smell Act straight away“This is most frequently a result of where a fuel has been spilled or leaked into the ground or soil around plastic water pipes.” DWI “You should contact your water company and local authority immediately if you suspect a spill or leak of fuel has occurred.” DWI
Three checks before you call
Before you call anyone, three quick checks tell you whether the problem is in your home or in the supply. The DWI's advice: “firstly check other taps within your house to find out if it affects more than one tap.” DWI “The next step should be to check with your neighbours to see if the problem is only confined to the plumbing inside your home.” DWI
If you call your water company
The DWI lists what helps them DWI:
- “Description of the taste, odour, or both.”
- “Whether it affects other taps in your house or any neighbouring properties.”
- “When you first noticed a change to the taste or odour.”
When to call: “If you suddenly notice a particularly bad or strong smell or taste which makes the water unpalatable, you should contact your water company.” DWI They can check your plumbing too: “They can carry out an inspection and take some tests.” DWI
Cloudy, brown or coloured water
White or cloudy“White or cloudy water is normally caused by tiny air bubbles trapped in the water, usually when the water has been turned off nearby.” DWI “This can be easily checked by pouring water into a glass and watching it clear from the bottom up.” DWIBrown, orange or black“Brown, black or orange coloured water is normally caused by the disturbance of sediments from older pipes in the network.” DWI “If the problem has been present for less than 24 hours, run the tap to help clear the water.” DWIBlue, pink or bright“Blue, pink or other brightly coloured water coming from one or more of your taps is unusual and indicates a problem with your plumbing.” DWI “If this occurs, contact your water supplier as soon as possible” DWI. Blue-green, new copper pipes“On rare occasions, a blue colouration to the water may also be caused by corrosion of copper plumbing.” DWI “If the colour persists then you should contact your water supplier, who can investigate.” DWI“If your tap water is suddenly discoloured, you should not assume that it is safe to drink until you have sought advice from your water supplier.”Drinking Water Inspectorate DWI
Cloudy water on its own is usually air: “White or cloudy water is likely to be caused by air trapped in the water and is not harmful to health.” DWI If it doesn't clear, or “you notice an unusual smell or taste to the water at the same time, contact your water supplier for further advice.” DWI
Hard water and taste
Hardness changes how water tastes, and it varies by area. The DWI explains “Water hardness is caused by dissolved calcium and magnesium.” DWI “For example, hard water from a chalky area will have a very different taste from soft water from a reservoir in the hills.” DWI
Hard water shows up around the home: “It also leaves ‘tide marks’ on basins, sinks, baths and toilets and a scum on the surface of hot drinks, especially tea brewed in the cup with a teabag (due to the air and oils in the tea).” DWI It isn't a safety standard: “The Drinking Water Directive and the UK drinking water quality regulations do not specify standards for hardness, calcium or magnesium.” DWI
Check your area's hardness with your postcode in the Near you section below. For an exact figure, the DWI says “For an accurate measurement ask your water company directly because there are areas with local variation not represented by the map.” DWI
Drink from the cold kitchen tap
Where you fill the glass matters. “Remember that you should only be using cold water from the kitchen for drinking and cooking.” DWI
The hot tap“Water from the hot tap is not recommended for drinking as it can contain elevated levels of metals, such as copper, which makes the water taste astringent.” DWIBathroom taps“Cold water in bathrooms and washrooms is not recommended for drinking as it may be from a tank that is not suitable for drinking water purposes.” DWIStorage tanks and bathroom taps: the bacteria guide →07 Seasonal changes
Some changes come from the supply, and they are usually seasonal. “About half of our drinking water comes from rivers and reservoirs.” DWI “In summer these waters sometimes develop a musty or earthy smell or taste due to natural processes in the environment.” DWI
Water companies also switch sources: “water companies may use different sources at different times of the year, or they may supplement one source with another during the summer period.” DWI The DWI adds “In all these circumstances the slight change in water quality is no cause for concern regarding the safety of your drinking water supply.” DWI
08 Filters and softeners
Taste is the main reason people buy a filter. The DWI says “Removing objectionable tastes and odours is the most common reason for purchasing a water filter.” DWI “When choosing a filter for this purpose ensure it contains activated carbon and change the filter cartridge in line with the manufacturer’s instructions or it will cease to be effective and may leach other chemicals or bacteria.” DWI
There is a cheaper option: “Before decided to purchase a carbon filter, be aware that a more cost-effective solution is to store a clean, glass, covered jug of drinking water in the refrigerator.” DWI
Softeners can change the taste too: “A softener may also alter the taste and smell of the water making it less pleasant or acceptable when consuming.” DWI Keep one unsoftened tap: “It is advised that consumers retain an unsoftened water supply to the kitchen tap for drinking and cooking purposes.” DWI
09 Private supplies
On a well, borehole or spring, nobody else is checking the water. A new taste, smell or colour is a sign something has changed at the source, the treatment or the tank. We suggest a screen that includes E. coli, and a look at the private supplies guide.
Private supply changed? Screen for E. coli, lead and arsenic, plus chlorine and fluoride. Complete Kit · £45The private water supplies guide →Near you
Hardness and your water company
Your postcode shows your area's hardness and which water company to call, then the UK testing map has community results near you.
Open the UK testing mapAdd my resultThe map shows community results and public data. It is not official monitoring. Area facts are taken at the centre of your postcode district.
Community results Housing ageQuestions people ask
Taste, smell and colour questions
Short answers, with the DWI's own words where it matters.
Why does my tap water taste of chlorine?
Water companies use it to keep water safe in the pipes. “If you occasionally notice a slight taste or smell of chlorine, it is probably due to maintenance work in your area, it will not be a long lasting problem and there is no cause to worry.” DWI
The chlorine guide →Why does my water smell of rotten eggs?
Try the DWI's glass test: fill a glass and take it into another room. If the smell goes, “the issue is likely to be with the sink or the drains” DWI. If it stays, contact your water company.
Why does tap water taste metallic?
Usually from pipes and fittings. “Water in contact with copper, iron or galvanised pipes, tanks or fittings for long periods may pick up a metallic or bitter flavour.” DWI Run the tap before use.
Why does my water taste of TCP or antiseptic?
“A common cause of TCP like tastes is the hoses that are used to connect domestic appliances to the water supply.” DWI “Some plastic kettles and anti-splash devices fitted to or inside modern taps may also be the cause.” DWI
Is cloudy tap water safe?
Usually, yes. “White or cloudy water is likely to be caused by air trapped in the water and is not harmful to health.” DWI If it doesn't clear from the bottom up, or lasts more than 24 hours, contact your water supplier.
Is brown tap water safe to drink?
Don't assume so. “If your tap water is suddenly discoloured, you should not assume that it is safe to drink until you have sought advice from your water supplier.” DWI
Why does water taste different after moving house?
Mostly hardness and local sources. “The natural properties of drinking water can vary from area to area due, in part, to the local geology.” DWI Check your area's hardness with your postcode below.
Will a filter fix the taste?
An activated carbon filter can help with taste, if you change the cartridge on time. The DWI also suggests a cheaper option: a covered jug of tap water in the fridge.
Keep reading
Cloudy, brown or funny-tasting tap water? A symptom guide Cloudy tap water after plumbing work: flush or test? Is UK tap water safe to drink? The 2026 evidence How to test water quality at home, step by stepSources and how we write these pages · 7 sources · last checked 28 Sep 2026
- DWI: Taste and odour in drinking water checked 28 Sep 2026
- DWI: Chlorine checked 28 Sep 2026
- DWI: White or cloudy water checked 28 Sep 2026
- DWI: Brown, black or orange water checked 28 Sep 2026
- DWI: Blue or brightly coloured water checked 28 Sep 2026
- DWI: Water hardness checked 28 Sep 2026
- DWI: Domestic water filters and softeners checked 28 Sep 2026
How we write these pages. Health and safety lines are quoted word for word from the source and linked, with the date we last checked them. Home screening is a first check, not lab certification. Last reviewed 28 Sep 2026.
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£55 £45 View kit Not sure which test? Not sure what it is?Five taps: what you notice, which taps, neighbours, when it started, your supply.
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