Does tap water taste different to you in different places? Here’s why.
When I was younger, say about 12 years old, I began to notice the taste of water at my Grandparent’s home to be different. At the time, my mother explained it was due to the use of rainwater, collected in a large tanker just outside their home in a remote rural area. I’ve since learnt that the taste is due to the use of a disinfectant solution added to the water to kill bacteria in the water system.
But what about tap water in city & suburban areas?
The answer is the same here too, the different tastes you experience from tap water is due to the process used to make tap water safe for drinking, cleaning, washing etc., combined with contamination from the pipes through which the water travels to get to the tap on the other end. This process varies in different areas based on the water source, meaning water in two areas is never going to taste alike.
For the most part, the process is the same — dirt and various solid contaminants are effectively sieved out of the water, the water is filtered again once or more, before finally being treated with chlorine. The strength of the chlorine then depends on the water source and what level would be required to make it safe for the household.
Taste, however, is not only affected by the amount of chlorine used to treat the water, it is also affected by the pipes it travels through, the distance it needs to travel, and how long it’s in the pipes for. For example, it is not uncommon to find traces of copper and lead in tap water along with the added chlorine. The concentration of all these elements by the time it reaches your home, greatly dictates how the water will taste by the time you drink it. This tends to mean that the water coming from your own home’s taps can taste drastically different to those on the other side of the same town, let alone the other side of a country or other parts of the world.
So what can we do to ‘purify’ the taste of our tap water?
Fortunately, there is a number of ways we can address this issue for a cleaner hydrating experience. After all, if the water tastes better you are far more likely to drink it right? This will ultimately lead to a regular daily water intake, an increase in hydration, an improvement in our cognitive and physical functionality, energy levels, sleep cycle, decision making… the list goes on.
Of course, you can always spend extortionate amounts on bottled water and continue contributing to the 100 million plastic bottles consumed on this earth every day, or you could consider alternatives that allow you to turn tap water, tasteless.
Tap Water Filter System
Installing a tap water filter system into your home is arguably the best filtration system you can use for in-home tap water consumption. These systems can address the both possible bacterial contaminants as well as the taste. The downside to these is that they present potentially significant costs to install (not to mention the ongoing maintenance), and cannot be used anywhere other than in the home — however, if the purity of your local water source is debatable, it could well be the difference between sickness and health.
Fridge Jugs
Fridge Jugs are a much more appealing option, simply fill them up and put them in your fridge — when you need a drink, pour a glass and you’re set. However, there are a couple of shortfalls with Fridge Jugs; you are limited to the capacity of the jug which needs constant refilling, and it would look a bit daft to wander about town with a water jug in your hand as these too, are limited to the home.
Filtered Water Bottles
Filtered water bottles exist to filter the chlorine in tap water, and deliver tasteless water to you when you need it. There is no shortage of options in this market, and choosing a filtered water bottle gives you the convenience of filling a bottle from any available tap wherever you are. The only real downside to these bottles is their squeeze-ability and appearance.
Universal Water Bottle Filter (edit: no longer available)
I recently came across a universal water bottle filter which offers the same functionality as the previously mentioned jugs and water bottles — the difference? I can use it on whichever drink bottle I choose. I don’t know about you, but I definitely have a favourite bottled water brand which I love to reuse with tap water, the squeeze-ability and durability of these bottles have been unmatched in my experience. And now, I can put a filter on it and be rid of the bleachy taste of tap water too. Unfortunately, this product no longer exists.
