Tap water naturally has a neutral taste, so when it tastes sweet, you need to find out why. Factors such as mineral content, plumbing, water pH, and health could be a cause of why your water tastes sweet.
Causes of Sweet-Tasting Water
pH Imbalance
A pH imbalance in your water is another possible reason your water tastes sweet. Water with high pH (alkaline water) is usually sweet-tasting compared to water with a neutral or low pH. On the other hand, acidic water will taste bitter. If your water pH is extremely low, it may even taste salty. You can neutralize your water’s alkaline pH level by using a filtered water cooler.
Mineral Imbalance
A high concentration of mineral deposits, primarily naturally occurring minerals such as calcium and magnesium, can be a reason why your water tastes sweet.
Plumbing
Water flows from a source to your home through your plumbing system, so the state of your plumbing can affect how your water tastes. Heavy metals such as lead can leach into your drinking water. The presence of these metals can change the flavor of your water and result in sweet water.
Other contaminants such as scale build-up in your pipes (from hard water) may dissolve in the water supply and affect how your water tastes.
Health
When we are sick, our senses may work differently. By senses, we mean our sense of smell and taste. We have varying quantities of taste buds in our mouths, so our tastes will inevitably have a slight difference. What may taste salty on your tongue may taste differently on someone else’s.
There are cases in which tap water has a sweet taste due to consuming certain things that can alter your taste perception. When you eat sugary foods regularly, it will cause a sweet taste in your mouth. If you take something that tastes sour or bitter, it will make your water taste sweet in comparison.
However, if this sweet taste in the mouth is a consistent occurrence, then perhaps your taste buds may indicate serious health issues. Issues such as diabetes, infections, neurological complications, gastroesophageal acid reflux, lung cancer, and certain medications may be why your water has a sweet taste.
Medications
Certain medications come with side effects that may alter your sense of smell and taste and make you have more sensitive palates. Although your doctor has to confirm that your medication is the cause before they can prescribe an alternative.
Identify the Cause of Sweet Water
There are multiple reasons for your water tasting sweet. A simple guess is insufficient to pinpoint why your water tastes sweet. However, there are some ways to identify the cause of your sweet-tasting water.
Water Testing
One of the most accurate methods to determine why your water tastes sweet is to conduct a water test. You can opt for a digital test meter, a lead test kit, or a pH test strip to know the exact cause of that sweet taste.
You can also take a sample of your water to a private lab. This is more precise but more expensive as well. Anyways, home testing is accurate enough to know if your well water tastes sweet.
Check Your Plumbing Systems
If you have reason to believe that your plumbing system is why your water is sweet, you can contact a professional plumber to check it out.
This isn’t a necessary measure unless there is a serious corrosion issue or you’re using a really old plumbing system. If it’s none of those things, there’s no need to call in a plumber unless you want to make some repairs.
See a Doctor
If the cause of your sweet tasting water has nothing to do with your well water or your plumbing system, it’s likely pointing toward your health. Consult with your doctor to know if it’s the side effects of a certain medication or a particular ailment.
How to Make Water Taste Better
Flushing Your Plumbing System
We recommend doing this before you consider the other solutions. To flush your plumbing system, switch on all the faucets (cold water only) and leave it for about 5 minutes. For best results, turn on your faucets all the way so that the high water pressure will get rid of anything lurking in your pipes as water passes through.
Activated Carbon Filtration
Using this method is a no-brainer because they are very popular and effective. These filters can be used as an independent water filter for your water supply or as part of a whole house water system such as a reverse osmosis system.
These filters vary in design; there are peat, coconut shell, and charcoal carbon filters. They utilize the process of adsorption to remove contaminants, including those that alter the taste and smell of your drinking water.
They also vary in terms of affordability. With this solution, you get to enjoy fresh-tasting drinking water.
Air Injection
Air injection is an effective method of improving your overall water quality. This water filtration method treats many common water issues, including smell and taste. This makes it suitable for removing certain contaminants and treating the sweet water you drink.
This method utilizes pushing larger quantities of air through your water, releasing dissolved gases. After injecting air, you can let your water run through a water filter to eliminate minerals that have solidified.
Water Softener
A water softener unit utilizes the ion exchange process to eliminate calcium and magnesium from your drinking water. It’s the perfect solution if you notice scale build-up on your faucets, pipes, and appliances.
