Does your water have a plastic or solvent odor?

Solvent-like odors are more often than not associated with work activities around the home. Recent work on irrigation systems, for instance, can lead to smells related to PVC glue. These odors can be fed back into the home as internal water use draws small amounts of water out of the irrigation system and into the interior plumbing. Solvent odors due to irrigation work are generally short-lived and can be removed by flushing water through the home's faucets.

Additionally, solvents introduced into a water meter box or into the soil around a PVC (plastic) service line can create noticeable odors. This results from solvents penetrating the plastic and entering the water. The intentional discharge of paints, solvents or any other chemicals into the meter box is illegal and a finable offense. Please contact HWD immediately if you observe anyone doing so. The only means to rectify such a problem is to replace any piping and contaminated soil in the immediate area. The soil is considered hazardous waste and is very costly to dispose of properly.

If you are experiencing problems of this sort that cannot be easily explained, please call us at 619-667-6248 during business hours or 619-466-3234 after hours, or email Helix District Water.

Show All Answers

1. Is there a metallic taste?
2. Is there a musty or earthy odor in only your hot water?
3. Is there a musty or earthy odor in both your hot and cold water?
4. Do you taste or smell chloramines (chlorine or ammonia)?
5. Does your water have a plastic or solvent odor?
6. Does your water have a rotten eggs odor?