A wet dog smell in your water can be alarming. According to the Salt Institute, PVC and copper pipes can collect mineral deposits over time. They may serve as a breeding ground for bacteria, which can cause your water to have an unpleasant aroma. The chemicals used to remove these organisms can also cause your water to smell. If you smell an aroma of wet dog coming from your tap water, it’s more than likely from the hot water pipe.
Other common reasons why your water may smell like a damp dog may include:
- concentrations of metal in your pipes
- organisms and/or bacteria
- chemicals used to remove said organisms
- environmental contaminants based on where you live
What causes my water to smell like wet dog?
There are a natural amount of minerals and metals in your water, but sometimes larger concentrations of metal in your pipes can affect the scent of your water. Lead, copper, magnesium, iron, and sodium can build up over time in your plumbing and taint your water supply and mostly occur in hot water.
What should I do if my water smells like sulphur?
Make a note of your meter reading, as you may be entitled to a partial refund or run off credit. Run your taps to establish where the foul smell is coming from. Contact a water expert to have your water pipes tested.
