Why Does My Water Taste Like Metal?

If your water tastes like metal, that means there could be potentially harmful substances lurking in your tap. A metallic taste is most often caused by metals, such as iron or zinc, that dissolve in your water through your pipes. Here are a few other common causes of why your water may be tasting like metal and what you can do to fix it.

Unbalanced pH Levels

If the pH of your water isn’t balanced, it could be affecting the taste of your water. High pH is reported by the USGS as having a bitter taste, while low pH dissolves metals in your water and home, such as your pipes. The best tasting water should have a pH around 6.5 to 7.5. If your water isn’t in that range, it could be breaking down your pipes and causing a bad taste.

Aged Pipes

The age of your home could be affecting your water. Homes made in the early 1900s often have pipes made of brass, copper, or galvanized steel. These metals can leach into your water, giving it a metallic tang. Older homes often had lead pipes, so if your home is older you may want to consider getting your pipes checked.

High Levels of Iron

Iron enters your water through potentially rusty pipes. It’s especially a problem if you live in a big city or use well water. Not only does iron cause a metallic taste, it can also create reddish stains on bathroom and kitchen water fixtures. If your water seems discolored, that’s another good sign your water has high levels of iron.

High Levels of Other Metals

Metals like manganese, zinc, lead, and copper could also be creating a metallic taste. These metals often enter your water through old pipes. Well water usually has high concentrations of these metals too.

Are These Metals Bad for My Health?

It depends. If you have high levels of Iron in your water, the metal taste will be the strongest but it’s not harmful to your health. Zinc and lead are a concern especially at high concentration. These can cause very serious health effects if not removed from your water.

How Do I Find the Cause of the Taste?

If you’re wondering what could be lurking in your tap, you can check out your city’s water quality report. For example, you can find Salt Lake City’s report here. This report outlines what’s in your water before and after treatment. Or, you can contact us for a free home water evaluation!

Can I Remove the Metallic Taste?

Yes! The best way to get water that is free of contaminants is to get a reverse osmosis water purifier or a whole-house water filtration system. A water purifier removes the unwanted minerals and can even balance the pH of your water. Some other advantages of purified water include:

• Great tasting water straight from the tap
• Crystal clear ice cubes
• Odor-free water
• Cheaper than constantly buying bottled water

Want to Learn More?

If you want to learn more about the advantages of a water purifier in your home, you can read more about it here. If you have any other questions about what you can do to get great-tasting water in your home, don’t hesitate to give us a call at 801-438-4798!