How to Make Tap Water Taste Better: A Comprehensive Guide

November 24, 2025 •

5 min read

According to a 2024 report, a significant portion of consumers cite an undesirable taste as the main reason they avoid drinking tap water. However, you don't have to tolerate unpalatable water. Learning how to make tap water taste better can transform your daily hydration, making it more enjoyable and even healthier, without resorting to expensive bottled water.

Quick Summary

This guide provides seven practical strategies for improving the flavor of tap water. Solutions range from simple DIY infusions and chilling methods to investing in various types of filtration systems for long-term purity. Learn the causes of bad-tasting water and find the best solution for your household's needs.

Key Points

Chill your water: Refrigerating tap water in an open container allows chlorine to dissipate and makes the flavor less noticeable.
Add natural infusions: Enhance taste with slices of lemon, lime, cucumber, or sprigs of mint.
Use an activated carbon filter: Found in pitchers and faucet mounts, these filters effectively remove chlorine and other odor-causing compounds.
Consider a reverse osmosis system: For the purest water, an RO system removes a wide range of contaminants, heavy metals, and salts, leaving a clean taste.
Boil to remove impurities: Boiling water kills bacteria and helps release chlorine, but does not remove mineral content.
Check your home's plumbing: Sometimes a bad taste is caused by corroded pipes or sediment buildup, so it's wise to check your plumbing and clean faucet aerators.
Flush your water lines: Run cold water for a couple of minutes to clear out stagnant water that might have a metallic taste from sitting in pipes overnight.

Common Reasons Why Tap Water Tastes Bad

Before you can fix the problem, it's essential to understand the cause. The taste of your tap water can be influenced by several factors, including the source of your water, your home's plumbing, and the treatment methods used by your local municipality.

Municipal Water Treatment Chemicals

Chlorine: Used as a disinfectant to kill harmful bacteria and viruses, chlorine is a common additive in public water supplies. While safe, it often leaves a distinct chemical or bleach-like taste and smell.
Chloramine: This compound, formed by combining chlorine and ammonia, is a longer-lasting disinfectant but can also affect the flavor.

High Mineral Content (Hard Water)

Water in some regions contains high levels of dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium. While not harmful, this "hard water" can cause a metallic or chalky taste.

Plumbing and Pipe Issues

Older Pipes: Homes with older galvanized or copper pipes may experience a metallic taste as the pipes corrode and leach metals into the water.
Plastic Pipes: In some cases, chemicals from PEX or PVC pipes can leach into the water, causing a plastic-like taste.
Water Heater: Sediment and bacteria can build up in your water heater, affecting the quality of your hot water, which should not be used for drinking or cooking.

Environmental and Seasonal Factors

Algal Blooms: Naturally occurring algae in reservoirs or other water sources can produce compounds that result in an earthy, moldy, or fishy taste.
Sulfur: Sulfur-reducing bacteria can produce hydrogen sulfide gas, which is known for its unpleasant rotten-egg smell and taste.

7 Methods for Improving Tap Water Taste

Here are several effective ways to improve the taste of your tap water, from easy, short-term solutions to more comprehensive, long-term systems.

1. The Simple Chilling Method

One of the easiest ways to mask an off-putting taste is by chilling your water. The cold temperature reduces the volatility of chlorine and other compounds, making them less noticeable to your taste buds. Simply fill a pitcher with tap water and refrigerate it. Using an open-top container allows chlorine to dissipate over time.

2. Infuse with Natural Flavors

For a refreshing upgrade, infuse your water with fruits, vegetables, or herbs. This not only adds flavor but can also provide a boost of vitamins and antioxidants.

Citrus Fruits: Add slices of lemon, lime, or orange for a zesty, clean taste.
Herbs: Mint, rosemary, or basil add a refreshing, aromatic twist.
Other Fruits & Veggies: Try cucumber for a spa-like taste or muddled berries for a hint of sweetness.

3. Use an Activated Carbon Filter

Activated carbon filters are highly effective at removing chlorine, chloramine, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that cause bad tastes and odors. These come in various forms:

Pitcher Filters: Affordable and easy to use, simply pour water into the pitcher and let it filter.
Faucet-Mounted Filters: These attach directly to your faucet, providing filtered water on demand.
Under-Sink Filters: Installed directly into your plumbing, offering a more robust and permanent solution for a single tap.

4. Install a Reverse Osmosis (RO) System

For the purest possible water, a reverse osmosis system is the best option. This system forces water through a semi-permeable membrane, removing nearly all dissolved solids, heavy metals, chemicals, and other contaminants. The result is exceptionally clean-tasting water. However, RO systems can be more expensive and typically require professional installation.

5. Add Alkaline Minerals

Some filtration systems, particularly alkaline water filters or ionizers, add beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium back into the water. This process can improve the taste by balancing the pH, creating a smoother and sweeter flavor profile that many find more pleasant than pure, demineralized water.

6. Boil and Cool the Water

If you suspect bacteria or organic matter are causing the bad taste, boiling the water is a temporary solution to kill microorganisms and help dissipate chlorine. The key is to bring the water to a rolling boil, allow it to cool completely, and then store it in a covered glass or ceramic container in the refrigerator.

7. Check and Maintain Your Plumbing

Sometimes, the issue isn't with the water supply but with your home's internal plumbing.

Flush Your Taps: Run the cold water for a few minutes, especially in the morning or after a long period of disuse, to flush out stagnant water that may have picked up metallic tastes from pipes.
Clean Aerators: Faucet aerators can collect sediment and bacteria. Regularly unscrew and clean them.
Replace Old Plumbing: If you live in an older home, consider having a plumber inspect and potentially replace aging pipes.

Comparison of Water Filtration Methods


Method	Cost	Contaminant Removal	Installation	Best For	Flavor	Maintenance
Pitcher Filter	Low	Chlorine, sediment, some heavy metals	Easy (no install)	Renters, singles, low-volume use	Good	Frequent cartridge replacement (monthly)
Faucet Filter	Low-Medium	Chlorine, sediment, some heavy metals	Easy DIY	Low-volume use, targeted filtering	Good	Frequent cartridge replacement (months)
Under-Sink Filter	Medium-High	Varies (multi-stage filtration), higher capacity	Moderate DIY or pro	Dedicated drinking water tap	Excellent	Less frequent cartridge replacement (6-12 months)
Reverse Osmosis (RO)	High	Almost all contaminants, including heavy metals, salts, fluoride	Advanced DIY or pro	High-purity drinking water	Excellent (sometimes very neutral)	Professional service recommended, membrane replacement
Whole-House Filter	Very High	Varies (customizable filtration for the entire home)	Professional	Total water purification throughout the home	Good-Excellent	Varies based on system and usage

Conclusion

Improving the taste of your tap water is a simple goal with a wide range of solutions, from quick and easy adjustments to investing in advanced filtration. The right method depends on the specific cause of your water's unpleasant taste and your budget. For chlorine issues, a simple pitcher filter or refrigeration can work wonders. If you're dealing with hard water or a more complex taste problem, a whole-house or reverse osmosis system may be the best long-term investment. By implementing these strategies, you can ensure a cleaner, crisper, and more enjoyable drinking experience for yourself and your family. For more information on water quality, you can consult with resources like the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Act guidelines.

Optional Outbound Link

EPA's Safe Drinking Water Act

Frequently Asked Questions

Your tap water tastes like chlorine because it is a common disinfectant used by municipal water suppliers to kill bacteria and viruses. You can easily remove the taste by chilling the water in an open container in the refrigerator for a few hours, or by using an activated carbon filter.

In most cases, an unusual taste or smell is not a health concern, but an aesthetic one. However, some metallic or chemical tastes can indicate corroding pipes or other issues. If the taste persists or you have concerns, it is best to have your water tested.

A pitcher filter is a temporary, low-volume solution that filters small batches of water for drinking. An under-sink filter is a more permanent system that is installed directly into your plumbing to filter water for a specific faucet, providing a higher volume of filtered water.

You can make tap water taste better without a filter by chilling it, boiling it, or infusing it with natural flavors from fruits like lemon or cucumber, or herbs like mint.

Yes, boiling can help. It is effective at killing bacteria and helps to dissipate volatile chemicals like chlorine. However, it does not remove heavy metals or mineral buildup. Remember to let it cool completely before drinking.

The frequency of changing a water filter depends on the type and your water usage. For most pitcher filters, it is recommended to change the cartridge monthly, while under-sink and whole-house systems can last for several months to a year or more. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions.

While minerals like calcium and magnesium are generally safe, high concentrations can cause a metallic or chalky taste, and lead to mineral buildup on appliances and fixtures, a condition known as "hard water". A water softener can help with this issue.