Skip to main content
Facilitate Magazine: Informing Workplace and Facilities Management Professionals - return to the homepage Facilitate magazine logo
  • Search
  • Visit Facilitate Magazine on Facebook
  • Visit Facilitate Magazine on LinkedIn
  • Visit @Facilitate_Mag on Twitter
Visit the website of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management Logo of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management

Main navigation

  • Home
  • News
    • Comment
    • People
    • Reports
    • Research
  • Features
    • Analysis
    • Features
    • Round Tables
    • Webinars
  • Outsourcing
    • Contract Finder
    • Contracts
    • FM Business Models
    • Interviews
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • Opinion
    • Procurement
    • Trends
  • Know-How
    • Explainers
    • Legal Updates
    • White Papers
  • Jobs
  • Topics
    • Workplace Services
      • Hospitality
      • Catering
      • Cleaning
      • Front of House
      • Grounds Maintenance
      • Helpdesk
      • Mailroom
      • Manned Guarding / Security
      • Pest Control
      • Washroom Services
      • Disaster Recovery
      • Specialist Services
    • Professional Performance
      • Behavioural Change
      • Continual Professional Development
      • Education
      • Management
      • Recruitment
      • Training
    • Workplace Performance
      • Benchmarking
      • Health & Wellbeing
      • Operational Readiness
      • Procurement
      • Security
      • Workplace User Experience
      • Workplace Culture
    • Compliance
      • Health & Safety
      • Risk & Business Continuity
      • Standards
      • Statutory Compliance
    • Building Services
      • Architecture & Construction
      • Asset Management
      • Building Controls
      • Building Fabric
      • Drinking Water
      • Fire Protection
      • HVAC
      • Landscaping
      • Mechanical & Electrical
      • Building Security
      • Water, Drainage & Plumbing
    • Technology
      • Building Information Modelling
      • CAFM
      • Data & Networks
      • Document Management
      • Information Management
      • Internet of Things (IoT)
      • Software & Systems
    • Energy management
      • Energy Management Systems
      • Electricity
      • Gas
      • Solar
      • Wind
    • Sustainability
      • Environmental Quality
      • Social Value
      • Waste Management
      • Recycling
    • Workspace Design
      • Agile Working
      • Fit-Out & Refurbishment
      • Inclusive Access
      • Lighting
      • Office Interiors
      • Signage
      • Space Planning
      • Storage
      • Vehicle Management / Parking
      • Washroom
    • Sectors
      • Corporate Office
      • Education
      • Healthcare
      • Manufacturing
      • International
      • Retail
      • Sports & Leisure
      • Regions
  • Buyers' Guide
Quick links:
  • Home
  • Topics
Know How
Home
Explainers
Workplace services
Pest control
Topics
Know How
Home
Explainers
Workplace services
Pest control

A question of taste

Open-access content Monday 3rd December 2018
© iStock

Water, by law, has to be wholesome - and part of this comes down to satisfactory taste and odour, says Julie Spinks.

04 December 2018 | Julie Spinks

 


The Drinking Water Inspectorate report shows 99.96 per cent of samples in England and Wales passed water quality tests in 2017 but of the 640 samples that failed, about a quarter were due to taste and odour. 


This is often caused by problems with the private pipes and water fittings, and the householder or business will be responsible for fixing them. 

But if a smell or taste remains after remedial work, you should contact your local water company. In most cases, FMs will need to address these common complaints.


1. Antiseptic or metallic taste

Common cause: Chlorine reacting with rubber fittings in appliances.

Solution: Close the isolating valve on the water pipe leading to the tap for 24 hours, then taste and smell the water. If the taste persists, replace plastic parts with approved products. Check outside taps have adequate backflow protection. 


2. Earthy and musty tastes

Common cause: Stagnant water or algae, bacteria or other organic matter in rivers or reservoir.

Solution: If premises are empty for a week or so, water quality can deteriorate, so run taps to flush out any standing water. Make sure hot and cold water taps are insulated and kept separate. Water companies treat water to remove matter, but sometimes harmless fragments remain.


3. Stagnant or sewage smells

Common cause: Blocked waste pipes.

Solution: Pour a glass of water and take it to another room. If the smell disappears, make sure taps are cleaned regularly and no solid waste 

is tipped down plugholes.  


4. Metallic or bitter taste

Common cause: Higher levels of metals in 

internal pipework.

Solution: Run water through the tap. Consider replacing pipework with approved products if the problem persists.


5. Chlorine taste and smell

Common cause: Water companies keep chlorine levels as low as possible, but it's required to keep water healthy. The concentration of chlorine can vary depending on time of day or season, so if there is an issue with taste and smell, it may be temporary. 

Solution: Reduce the taste and smell of chlorine by filling a jug with water, covering it and leaving in the fridge. If it has not been used after 24 hours, it should be recycled to water plants or for other uses.


Preventing problems

When building new premises or altering existing plumbing systems, changes must comply with:

  • Water fittings regulations; and
  • Relevant standards such as BS EN 806 - 'Specifications for installations inside buildings conveying water for human consumption'.

 

Common sense design and installation requirements can prevent issues arising.

  • Continuous movement of water: The system should be correctly sized for the expected use, so water does not stagnate. Any 'dead-legs' should be removed, as a pocket of stagnant water can pose a biofilm risk. Cisterns should be designed for the appropriate capacity and installed so there is a good turnover in the whole cistern. 
  • Appropriate backflow protection: The water system must include suitable devices to prevent backflow, where water may be in contact with fluids assessed as being a fluid category risk of between 2 to 5.
  • Backflow risk is assessed using a system of fluid categories (FC) - where FC1 represents drinking quality water and FC5 represents a serious health risk.  
  • Use compliant products and materials: If they don't conform to the water fittings regulations or Scottish bylaws, they may leak  or contaminate drinking water.

 

Notification

Plumbing work may require permission from the local water supplier. It will need the applicant's contact details, and a description and details of the contractor if an approved plumber is being used. Failure to notify could result in prosecution. 


Use an approved plumber

Use a member of WaterSafe, the UK register for approved plumbers. The scheme is backed by all UK water companies and drinking water inspectorates. Members are trained in regulations, carry public liability insurance and are subject to a complaints process if there are concerns about the standard of work.  


Julie Spinks is director of Watersafe

You might also like...

Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linked in
  • Mail
  • Print

Today's top reads

 

Latest Jobs

FM Helpdesk Manager

London (Central)
£35000.00 - £45000.00 per annum
Reference
55696

Building Services Senior Coordinator - Contract Position

Sutton
Up to £45,000 OR Equivalent Rate
Reference
55695

FM Customer Services Manager

London
GBP35000 - GBP40000 per annum + flexible benefits, pension
Reference
55694
See all jobs »

 

 

Sign up to our newsletter

News, jobs and updates

Sign up

Subscribe to print

Sign up to receive our bi-monthly magazine

Subscribe
Facilitate magazine cover, June 2020
​
FOLLOW US
@Facilitate_Mag
Facilitate Magazine
Facilitate Magazine
CONTACT US
Contact us
Tel: 020 7880 6200
​

IWFM

About IWFM
Become a member
Qualifications
Events

Information

Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Cookie Policy
Think Green

Get in touch

Contact us
Advertise with us
Subscribe to Facilitate Magazine
Write for Facilitate Magazine

General

IWFM Jobs
Help

www.facilitatemagazine.com and Facilitate magazine are published by Redactive Media Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any part is not allowed without written permission.

Redactive, Level 5, 78 Chamber Street, London, E1 8BL