Colors and Smells in Drinking Water Colors and Smells Noticeable water problems tend to involve unusual colors, smells, and tastes. Once identified, these aesthetically displeasing elements can be eliminated using a variety of different methods. Federal guidelines are set up to monitor these aesthetic problems. Since taste and odor work together it is often difficult to distinguish the two.
Some water systems have a high mineral concentration giving the consumer a salty or soda taste.
As water flows through these areas, hydrogen sulfide gas is picked up, and when this water reaches the surface or comes out of the faucet, the gas is released into the air. Hydrogen sulfide gas produces the rotten egg odor, can be corrosive to plumbing at high concentrations, and can tarnish silver rapidly. In large enough quantities, it is toxic to aquarium fish. Musty or unnatural smells - These smells are normally a result of organic matter or even some pesticides in the water supply. The odor threshold of MTBE is fairly low, so even though you can smell it, the MTBE is more than likely not at a level to cause harmful effects.