Quick Answer:
If your tap water suddenly tastes strongly chlorinated or “pool-like,” don’t panic. It could be a local water treatment change, a plumbing issue that increased chlorine delivery to your tap, or something with your hot water system. First steps: compare taps, smell an outdoor spigot, run cold water for a few minutes, and contact your water utility if the smell persists or is strong.
Why This Happens
- Municipal treatment: Water suppliers add chlorine or chloramine to disinfect drinking water. Changes in dosing or recent flushing can make the taste more noticeable.
- Localized plumbing issues: Stagnant water in rarely used lines, or a cross-connection, can concentrate disinfectant taste at a particular fixture.
- Hot water systems: Refilled or serviced water heaters can introduce a temporary chemical smell that comes out when using hot water. See Chemical odor after water heater refill for related guidance.
- Appliances and fixtures: Water sitting in dishwashers or appliances can carry a chemical smell when you run them; related reading: Chemical odor when washing dishes.
Step-by-Step What to Do
1. Check other taps and fixtures
- Test both cold and hot water at several sinks, the bathtub, and the laundry sink. Note whether the taste/smell is only at one fixture or everywhere.
2. Smell water from an outdoor spigot for comparison
- Open an outdoor hose spigot briefly and smell the flowing water. If the outdoor water smells the same, the issue is likely with the municipal supply. If not, it’s probably inside your plumbing or appliances.
3. Run cold water and flush lines
- Let cold water run for 5–10 minutes from the tap that tastes strongest. This flushes stagnant water and can often remove temporary tastes.
- Do not use hot water for flushing as it may pull chemicals from the heater into the lines.
4. Check recent work or changes
- Ask household members if any plumbing work, appliance changes, or water heater servicing happened recently.
- Contact your water utility to ask if they flushed mains, changed disinfectant levels, or had an event in your area.
5. Isolate water sources
- Turn off water supply to appliances (dishwasher, fridge with water/ice) one at a time and see if the taste changes. This helps identify a specific appliance as the source.
6. Use bottled water until resolved
- If the taste is strong or unpleasant, switch to bottled or boiled water for drinking and cooking until you determine the cause.
What Not to Do
- Do not assume pool taste is harmless. A strong chemical odor can indicate elevated disinfectant levels or contamination and should be investigated.
- Do not ignore persistent symptoms—if household members feel sick after drinking the water, stop using it for consumption and seek help.
- Do not attempt major plumbing repairs if you are not experienced; some work can introduce air or cause cross-connections that worsen the issue.
When to Call a Professional
- Call your municipal water utility if the outdoor spigot smells the same or multiple homes in your neighborhood report the issue.
- Call a licensed plumber if the smell is isolated to your home after outdoor testing, or if you suspect a cross-connection or contamination in your plumbing.
- Call a certified water testing lab or public health department if you want formal testing for chlorine, chloramine, or other contaminants.
Safety Notes
- If the smell is strong or residents experience nausea, vomiting, or dizziness after drinking the water, stop use and seek medical attention as needed.
- Use cold water for drinking and cooking—hot water can dissolve chemicals more readily and may taste worse.
- Do not mix household chemicals or try DIY chemical treatments to “fix” the taste.
Common Homeowner Questions
- Is it safe to drink this water? — If the taste is mild and the utility confirms normal levels, short-term use is usually safe; use bottled water until confirmed.
- Could my pool chemicals get into my home water? — Not directly; pool chemicals are typically contained, but municipal disinfectants (chlorine/chloramine) can cause a similar taste.
- How long will this last? — If caused by flushing or treatment changes, it often clears in a day or two; plumbing issues can take longer and may need professional repair.
Related Articles
If you’re troubleshooting a similar symptom, these guides may help:
For the full directory, see Chlorine or Chemical Taste and Odor.