Unusual tasting hot drinks?
If you notice unusual ‘medicinal’ or ‘plastic’ tastes only in hot drinks this can often
be due to the seal that separates the kettle’s heating element from the water. This
is particularly noticeable in new kettles.
How can I check if the taste and odour in the water is due
to my kettle?
To confirm whether the kettle is the problem, try making a hot drink with water
boiled in a saucepan and compare the taste with one made from the kettle. If the
taste has gone away then the cause is likely to be your kettle.
DISCOLOURED WATER
Cloudy (or milky) water
You may find that your tap water has a cloudy or white appearance. This occurs most often first
thing in the morning, or when the tap has not been run for some time. The most common cause
of this is tiny air bubbles.
You can confirm this by running a glass of water and standing it for a few moments and
watching the cloudiness clear from the bottom of the glass upwards. Air in water is completely
harmless and, in many cases, adjusting the stop tap on the incoming service pipe (usually
under the kitchen sink) will cure the problem.
For information on your stop tap see: Turning off your water supply, page 6.
Cloudy water due to air can occasionally be caused by a burst water main or when the water
company has been carrying out maintenance work. If your water contains air for the first time, or
has been cloudy for more than a day or so and your neighbours are also affected, contact your
local water company.
If the cloudy appearance clears from the top down, this may be caused by chalky deposits.
You should contact your local water company.
Brown water
Occasionally you may find that your tap water looks slightly brown. This is because some water
mains are made of iron and over time rusty deposits can settle out in the pipes. These can be
disturbed if there is a sudden change in the direction or speed of flow in the nearby water main.
This can happen for a number of reasons, for example, a burst on the water main, bringing a
water main back into use after repairs, the water company having to move water from one area
to another to cope with changes in demand or the fire service taking a lot of water to deal with
an emergency. Brown water may also be caused by the condition of the service pipe connecting
your house to the water main in the street.
For more information on your service pipe see: Responsibility for pipework, page 11.
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