Boiled water tastes flat
Many things can be dissolved in water, including air. When the water is boiled, the dissolved air leaves the water and the result is a flat taste. After boiling water, aerate the water by pouring it back and forth a few times between two containers. This adds air to the water and it will taste better.
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Washed laundry smells musty or earthy
Washed laundry that smells musty or earthy is caused by leaving wet laundry in a closed washing machine. Molds and mildew grow quickly in dark, moist environments, particularly during warm, humid weather. Remove laundry immediately after washing. To remove the musty odor, wash the laundry again.
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The water smells musty
The water smells musty at one faucet
If the musty odor occurs only at one faucet, the odor is related to something at or near the faucet. Try pouring cleaner or bleach, but not both at the same time, down the drain. This often removes the odor.
The water smells musty at all of the faucets
Call the Milwaukee Water Works Water Quality Section during regular business hours, 414-286-2585.
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The water has a gasoline or petroleum-like odor
The water has a gasoline or petroleum-like odor at only one faucet
Make sure the odor is not in the water. Fill a glass with water and take it away from the sink. Now smell the water. If there is no odor in the glass of water, the odor is coming from the sink or drain or something in the room. If the odor persists, call a plumber.
The water has a gasoline or petroleum-like odor at all of the faucets
If the odor is coming from all of the taps, do not drink the water. Call the Milwaukee Water Works Water Quality Section during regular business hours, 414-286-2585, and after business hours and on weekends, call the Milwaukee Water Works 24-hour Control Center, 414-286-3710.
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Water smells like sewage
The hot water smells like sewage
If the sewage odor is only in the hot water, the odor is coming from some component of the hot water system such as the water heater. Refer to the water heater owner's manual for maintenance instructions or call a plumber.
The water has a sewage odor at only one faucet
Fill a glass with water, take it away from the sink, and smell the water. If the odor cannot be detected, the odor is coming from the sink drain and trap. Fill the trap under the sink with water to prevent sewer gas from coming through the pipes. Run the faucet a short time to fill the trap. Try pouring cleaner or bleach, but not both at the same time, down the drain. This often removes the odor.
The water has a sewage odor at all of the faucets
If the sewage odor is at all of the faucets, call the Milwaukee Water Works Water Quality Section during regular business hours, 414-286-2585, and after business hours and on weekends, call the Milwaukee Water Works 24-hour Control Center, 414-286-3710.
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Water tastes stale
The water may taste stale if faucets have not been used in a while. The water was motionless in the pipes. Run the water for a few minutes to bring fresh water from the water main in the street into your plumbing.
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City of Milwaukee | Department of Public Works
Municipal Services Bill
