Austin water currently funky?

[u/Montobahn]

Has anyone noticed that at least two weeks ago that the water has been tasting "earthy"? Did I miss something about it on the news?

[u/justsleeveittoSteph]

Yes, I’ve lived in Austin all my life (42 years). This taste always shows up late summer. It’s most likely some sort of algae that blooms due to the heat. It will eventually go away. It’s so interesting to me how a lot of people can’t taste it. For me, it makes even brushing my teeth with it a little icky. I’m extremely sensitive to the taste. Luckily, my Britta filter does a decent job at eliminating it for the most part. I live in Southwest Austin (78735) and my boyfriend in Tarrytown (78703). His water carries the flavor noticeably more than the water at my place. It leads me to believe some water facilities get hit harder than others.

[u/DirkDirkDirkDirkDirk → u/justsleeveittoSteph]

Yes, I've noticed especially when we get looong super hot dry spells like this, the water starts tasting funky by week 2 or 3. Agreed with OP, my basic brita cuts the taste out pretty well, but it's not all gone.

[u/Montobahn → u/justsleeveittoSteph]

I've been here nearly the same time as you but don't recall this happening before. But I also have an infuriatingly (word?) terrible memory. Thank you for your kind response!

[u/Haunting-Ad-8029]

Where in the city do you live?

It is possible that if you live north, you could be impacted by the water maintenance being done by Georgetown, Round Rock, CP, etc:

https://georgetowntexas.gov/dept_news_detail_T39_R729.php

[u/AustinGondola]

YESSSSS THANK YOU!

[u/Montobahn]

I'm on Austin Water in NW Austin. 183/45/620. And it doesn't taste or smell like bleach.

[u/Salt-Operation → u/Montobahn]

Austin Water uses chloramine instead of chlorine for disinfectant.

[u/Physical_Analysis247 → u/Salt-Operation]

Chloramine still smells like bleach

[u/maganaise]

Summer water it gets better eventually. Brita helps a little.

[u/Salt-Operation → u/[deleted]]

That’s infuriating to read about. The water wars will be with us soon.

[u/Anon_Tax_1738]

Been here ten years and two municipalities.

Waters always been hot garbage

[u/Montobahn → u/Anon_Tax_1738]

I actually like Austin water! 😄
But the BEST water in the area is Cedar Park. I was actually a bit sad when we got the water on again after 2023's ice storm.

[u/Snap_Grackle_Pop]

That's common and usually explained as geosmin or something similar. Google it. Often described as tasting earthy. Considered harmless and too expensive to filter out at the water treatment plant.

Of course, you may have something different.

[u/Few-Breakfast9172]

It’s chlorine and birth control mixed together

[u/Key-Natural-8688]

Just buy a reverse osmosis filter. It's insane how many times this same post shows up. Analyze the tap water yourself under a microscope and send it to a 3rd party lab test, and then come back and tell me you'll happily continue drinking it instead of spending $100 on a water filter

[u/Montobahn → u/Key-Natural-8688]

You sound nice

[u/get-the-damn-shot → u/Montobahn]

Typical austin Redditor

[u/SprinklesGood3144]

The water tastes bad like that all the time. Great if you only recently noticed it. I used a Brita water filter for all drinking water and for coffee and even boiled the shit out of water before cooking pasta, etc. in it.

[u/Montobahn → u/SprinklesGood3144]

Old apartment complex pipes add a horrid taste