Hi all.

This happened several months back as well in June. However, at the time, I had an incredibly old water heater that had not been serviced. I replaced it due to its incredibly advanced age (not due to the smell) and the smell eventually went away.

But this week I noticed my water has suddenly developed the same smell again. However, my new water heater is only a few months old. Surely it doesn’t need to be serviced already? It is still outputting very hot water. I have it set to 130F, which is above the temperature that it was set at by default. (I think when I got it, it was set to 120F at first, which I found too cold. So I upped it not long after).

ALL faucets and things with a water supply within the home (ex toilets) exhibit the smell when the water is running. It is not limited to one spigot, floor, or room. Hot water makes it worse (as in showering), but I still notice it with cold water (as in flushing the toilet or room temp water from the tap…I can’t get my water super cold where I live though).

The smell reminds me of when I used to swim in a lake or pond. It doesn’t smell like sewage and it doesn’t smell like fish, but it is not overly pleasant.

Is there a way I can investigate this easily enough without hiring a plumber? And how can I tell if it’s safe to drink.

I have city water, NOT well water.

Thanks all.

  • cerement@slrpnk.net
    01·
    1 year ago

    lake turnover – in spring and fall, water temperatures equalize enough that water near the bottom moves up to the top taking the smells of algae along with it – usually only lasts a week or two each time

    EDIT: safety issue – keep your water heater at 140°F or higher to prevent Legionnaires’ disease

    • dingus@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      0·
      1 year ago

      I live in a very warm climate (very southern US). I have lived in the region for several years and have not experienced this yet. It has only been after moving into my current place which I did earlier this year. Do you think there’s a way I could test your theory? And does that mean it’s safe to drink?

      • cerement@slrpnk.net
        01·
        1 year ago
        • you get it more often in temperate climates, with hot climates, there’s usually not enough temperature shifts to push turnover
        • the algae or “pond water” smell is distinctive, if you haven’t noticed it before, then likely something else happening this time
        • agree with the other answers, pick up a testing kit off Amazon – your body can handle a lot of mineral content, but you don’t want to risk biological contamination