IN THE KITCHEN

TAP HYGIENE

It is important that taps that are used for drinking water are kept clean. Whilst the water coming
to your tap is safe, many bacteria can live in the kitchen and some can grow both on the outside
of the tap and inside the lip of the spout. They are not visible to the naked eye, but the tap can
become contaminated from food or items washed in the sink. For this reason, you should never
allow food to come into contact with the end of the tap.

KEY WATER TIPS:
• Regularly clean household taps thoroughly using a mild household
disinfectant, ensuring that you wash inside the spout.
• After cleaning the tap, run it for a few moments to remove any
remaining disinfectant
• Don’t leave the dishcloth on the tap to dry

TASTE AND ODOURS

Customers occasionally report that their tap water has an unpleasant taste or odour. These
complaints are often of a chlorine smell or a chemical, bitter or medicinal taste. Sometimes this
taste occurs only in boiled drinks, especially tea, or when a glass of water has stood for some
time.
There could be several causes, the commonest of which are given below. However, if you get a
sudden or unusual taste or smell with your drinking water contact your water company so that
they can investigate the problem.

CHLORINE

Chlorine is added during water treatment as a disinfectant to kill any
disease producing organisms. A small residual amount of chlorine is
generally present in the treated water that reaches your tap. This is to
ensure that the quality of the drinking water is maintained through the pipe
network.
Some people are more sensitive than others to the smell or taste of chlorine
and may become aware of occasional changes in chlorine levels in their tap
water. This could be because the water company has been working on the
water mains or is having to supply you with water from a different water
treatment works.

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