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Water Quality FAQs

  • Q: What should I do if my water tastes or smells bad?
    A: If your water tastes or smells of chlorine, check out some tips for removing the taste of chlorine in the water you drink. For other tastes and odors you can try the tips below. Remove and clean faucet aerators. If you have a water filter be sure to maintain it according to the manufactures guidelines. Sometimes, household...

    A: If your water tastes or smells of chlorine, check out some tips for removing the taste of chlorine in the water you drink.  For other tastes and odors you can try the tips below.

    • Remove and clean faucet aerators.
    • If you have a water filter be sure to maintain it according to the manufactures guidelines.
    • Sometimes, household odors from drains, compost buckets or new furnishings may be mistaken for odors in drinking water. Fill up a glass of water and take it outside or to another room to determine if tap water is the source of odor.   
    • If the odor is from hot water only, it might be time to do some water heater maintenance.
    • If the odor comes from cold water, the water might be sitting in pipes for a long period of time. Run water from your faucets until the water runs cold to bring in fresh water from our water main.
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  • Q: Should I install a home water treatment device?
    A: Installing a home water-treatment device is a personal choice. Before buying a device, you should: Look at our drinking water reports and test results before you choose a device. Decide what you want a treatment device to do. Some devices remove tastes and odors. Others remove contaminants such as lead. Go to nsf.org for...

    A: Installing a home water-treatment device is a personal choice. Before buying a device, you should:

    • Look at our drinking water reportsand test results before you choose a device. 
    • Decide what you want a treatment device to do. Some devices remove tastes and odors. Others remove contaminants such as lead.
    • Go to nsf.org for information about certified water filters.
    • Choose a treatment device that does what you want.
    • Install and maintain the device according to manufacturer instructions. Other water quality problems can develop from lack of maintenance.

     See the Oregon Health Authority for more resources for consumers.

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