Why Does My Tap Water Taste Like Chlorine?

This article was published on 10/29/2024 as part of Reliant Plumbing’s educational and community outreach initiative, aimed at providing valuable insights, safety tips, and practical advice on plumbing maintenance and solutions for homeowners and businesses.

little boy looking through magnifying glass at cup of water

You may be wondering why your tap water tastes weird all of a sudden. One major source we’ve heard from customers is chlorine. Periodically, municipal water suppliers may switch to free chlorine in order to flush out bacteria and biofilm that can build up in the system over time.

In the City of Robinson, a “Chlorine Conversion” is currently underway. This process works to improve the quality of water served to customers within the service of the water utility, but it does come with some brief taste and odor changes. Beginning on Oct 21, 2024 and through November 18, 2024, the residents of the City of Robinson can expect slight modifications to the chlorine levels in their water supply. 

State regulations permit municipalities to periodically conduct a free chlorine “burn” to control nitrifying bacteria, which can lead to the buildup of microbial biofilm within pipes.

Chlorine is what is often used in pool water to keep it safe to swim in. Although there are no health impacts during the chlorine conversion process, the smell of pool water might not be appealing while cooking family dinner.
If that taste just isn’t for you, Reliant Plumbing has some options that can improve the health and taste of water throughout the whole home. Learn more about whole home water filtration systems.

Why Does Water in Waco Taste Like Chlorine?

About once a year, the city of Waco residents experience a “chlorine conversion.” In January 2023, the city of Waco temporarily switched disinfectants as part of a month-long process to clean city water pipes. And in April, McGregor county officials issued a press release stating the announcement of a chlorine treatment in municipal water. The city Water Utility Services also performed the procedure in 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2020. Sediment, stagnant water, biofilm and bacteria all need regular maintenance. Public water systems are required to maintain safe, properly disinfected drinking water.

While there are no health effects associated with the temporary use of chlorine in tap water, residents may not like the taste or odor. You might smell it when you go to cook your dinner, or when taking a shower – experts say it is most noticeable when running hot water.

How to Remove Chlorine Taste from Tap Water

So what are residents who dislike the smell or taste of chlorine to do every year (or more often) when the city needs to perform routine maintenance?

Whole House Water Conditioners

Water conditioners effectively and efficiently remove contaminants from water such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and undesirable chemicals such as chlorine, chloramines, and more. Water conditioners help make your water more enjoyable and refreshing.

Water conditioners work by several different methods including carbon filtration, catalytic media, and polyphosphate filtration. 

  • Carbon Filtration: This process removes impurities by passing water through activated carbon, which absorbs contaminants like chlorine, pesticides, and organic compounds, enhancing taste and odor.
  • Catalytic Media: Using a specialized media that initiates chemical reactions, catalytic conditioning transforms dissolved minerals to prevent scale buildup without removing essential minerals.
  • Polyphosphate Filtration: This technique adds small amounts of polyphosphates to the water, which coat minerals and prevent them from forming scale deposits on surfaces and appliances.

Each of these methods addresses specific water quality concerns, contributing to cleaner and better-conditioned water.

Whole House Water Softeners

Many homeowners consider whole-home filtration systems for reasons other than taste. Whole home filtration systems can be beneficial to the entire plumbing system. Traditional water softeners can reduce the buildup of harmful minerals over time.

In the city of San Antonio and throughout the Texas hill country, water is known to be hard. The tap water pulled from the Edwards Aquifer is stored in limestone. This can cause calcium and magnesium deposits to build up in the plumbing system over time.

Water softeners remove minerals like calcium and magnesium, and work to reduce water hardness. Learn more about water softeners and reasons you should consider one.

If you have the distinct taste of chlorine in your water, call Reliant Plumbing to consult with a plumber today. We can help you select the best water filtration system for your needs. Ask about our Halo 5 discount for the best in water treatment options.

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