Fact Sheet 7 Investigating Taste and Odour Complaints
Fact Sheet 7 Investigating Taste and Odour Complaints
Fact Sheet 7 Investigating Taste and Odour Complaints
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
WSAA Materials <strong>Fact</strong>s <strong>Sheet</strong> No: 7<br />
TABLE 2. TYPICAL TASTE AND ODOUR DESCRIPTORS<br />
<strong>Taste</strong>/<strong>Odour</strong> Descriptor Examples of possible sources<br />
‘Medicinal’<br />
‘Chemical’<br />
‘Kerosene’<br />
‘Oil’<br />
‘Chlorinous’<br />
‘Bleach-like’<br />
‘Swimming pool’<br />
‘Earthy’<br />
‘Musty’<br />
‘Mouldy’<br />
‘Fishy’ Metabolites of algae<br />
Chlorophenols, bromophenols or iodoforms<br />
formed during the water treatment process or<br />
the relining of reservoirs <strong>and</strong> water mains<br />
Chlorine species (see 'Chlorinous' below)<br />
Hydrocarbon contamination from incorrect<br />
reservoir relining procedure or materials<br />
Could be an issue with infiltration of road<br />
grime (eg oils, organic material) via a nonsprung<br />
fire hydrant mushroom (ball), as<br />
occurs when shutdowns take place<br />
Chloramines from the disinfection process<br />
Elevated free-chlorine residuals<br />
A longer lasting chlorine odour (rather than<br />
just an initial whiff) is from the reaction of<br />
chlorine with organic matter built up in the<br />
distribution system. This can be fixed by<br />
cleaning the water mains to remove the<br />
material<br />
‘Metallic’ Corrosion by-products<br />
Metabolites of actinomycetes (filamentous<br />
bacteria) or cyanobacteria – e.g. Geosmin, 2-<br />
MIB (methyl isoborneol)<br />
Can be a chlorine <strong>and</strong> chloramines issue, eg<br />
too much organic material in the mains or not<br />
enough chlorine<br />
Obsolete<br />
‘Plastic’ PVC piping or poly-type pipes<br />
‘Chalky’ Leaching from cement lined water pipe<br />
Issue 1 Page 8 of 8 15 October 2003
Change language