What causes water to have a taste or odor?
There are a variety of factors that can impact the taste or smell of tap water but not change the quality of the water. In Charleston Water System’s case, algae in our surface water, when put through the treatment process, can give off harmless compounds that may cause the water to taste earthy or musty. In most cases, taste and odor is a purely aesthetic concern, and is not a reliable indicator of water quality.
