Taste

There are several factors that can influence how drinking water tastes:

• Smell and taste are closely linked. Make sure you also explore our page on smell-related issues.
• The geology and the naturally occurring minerals and salts found in the source water can affect taste. (All drinking water – even bottled water – may be expected to contain a certain amount of salts and minerals.)
• A malfunctioning home treatment system can affect tap water taste.

Why does my water taste like chlorine?

A medicinal or chemical taste can be related to chlorine.

Tucson Water's primary water quality goal is to protect public health and safety. In order to ensure your water is protected from harmful bacteria and other microorganisms, Tucson Water adds an effective level of disinfectant, chlorine, to the water distribution system.

How effective is chlorine in killing germs?

• Millions of people worldwide suffer from waterborne diseases due to microorganisms in their drinking water.
• In the U.S., we have few waterborne disease outbreaks because the water is carefully monitored for disease-causing organisms.
• Most water providers add a chlorine-based disinfectant to the drinking water supply to kill existing microorganisms.
• Chlorination can protect against contamination that may enter the public water supply after the water is pumped from the ground.
• With current technology, only chlorine-based disinfectants provide a lasting measurable residual disinfectant.

What is Tucson Water's chlorination strategy?

• Tucson Water chlorinates all water wells to a target chlorine level of 0.8 to 1.2 parts per million (ppm) and seeks to maintain storage reservoirs at this chlorine level.
• Our goal is to be able to detect some chlorine at every point in the water distribution system as proof that the entire system is protected against harmful microorganisms.
• Modern technology can detect concentrations of as little as .05 ppm in water.

How does chlorination affect me?

• Many people are able to taste or smell extremely low concentrations of chlorine in water and may be able to detect the levels we try to maintain in our water system.
• Maintaining an adequate chlorine residual at every customer tap often means that some customers who are located closer to a chlorination point receive higher chlorine levels than those farther away.
• Tucson Water strives to balance the need for ensuring adequate protection for your drinking water against the possibility of customers experiencing an objectionable chlorine taste and odor.
• Because chlorine will naturally disappear from your water within a few hours, you may want to set an open container of tap water in your refrigerator overnight.

What about the latest news stories about the dangers of using chlorine?

• Whenever a chlorine-based disinfectant is used in water, there is a possibility of the chlorine combining with natural organic material in the water to form compounds known as disinfection by-products (DBPs).
• Some of these DBPs, such as trihalomethanes, are regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as possible cancer-causing agents and others currently are being investigated for long-term health effects.
• Because Tucson's groundwater is relatively free of natural organic matter, levels of DBPs in our drinking water are extremely low.
• Our community must choose between the minimal long-term health risks which DBPs may represent and the certainty of waterborne diseases if the water is not disinfected.

Why does my water taste like dirt?

When drinking water tastes earthy or like dirt, it may be related to high levels of certain minerals.

• If you have a home water treatment or softening system, be sure it’s up-to-date on maintenance.
• Clean or replace faucet aerator and filters. Flakes can accumulate on screens, causing taste issues.
• Contact the Water Quality Customer Support Unit at (520) 791-5945.