Most people complain about the taste of chlorine. We add chlorine as water leaves the treatment facilities, protecting water on the way to your tap. Chlorination is used throughout water distribution systems, and it's extremely effective at destroying viruses and microorganisms during treatment and maintaining disinfection throughout the system.

You can improve water by:

• Put a pitcher of tap water in the refrigerator: This allows the chlorine to dissipate. After just a few hours, you'll notice an improvement in flavor.
• Add a lemon or orange slice: You'll add zest and eliminate the chlorine taste.
• Filter your water: There are hundreds of filter options at varying costs, but an inexpensive activated carbon filter, like those found in carafe systems, can improve taste and odor perceptions associated with chlorine. These filters do not remove hardness, minerals, sodium or fluoride.

To determine the source of the odor, fill a clean glass with the water in question. Step out of the room with the glass, and smell the water after a few seconds. If no odor remains, the issue is probably located in the drain.

Drain odor, often described as a “sewer smell” is a common problem that may be caused by a buildup of organic matter, bacteria, clogs, or a dry P-trap.

If the odor is at the kitchen sink, run the garbage disposal to clear out any food, then flush the drain with very hot water for 15 seconds. Pour one cup of baking soda in the drain, followed by one cup of white vinegar down the drain. The baking soda and vinegar create a foaming reaction that will help disinfect hard to reach areas of the plumbing where bacteria growth may be causing odors. After 5-10 mins, pour several cups of very hot water down the drain. Wipe under the rubber splash guard of the garbage disposal with white vinegar on a rag to clean odor-causing debris.

The steps above can be used for any drain in the home including the bathroom sink, shower, bathtub, and laundry room sink, and should be performed routinely to prevent future odors.

Fill a clean glass with the water in question. Step out of the room with the glass, and smell the water after a few seconds. If the rotten egg odor remains, it may be caused by the heat settings on your water heater.

If the thermostat on the water heater is set too high, water can be overheated. This may also back up into the cold water lines, causing warmer water out of the cold tap, and an odor.

If the thermostat on the water heater is set too low, this may encourage growth of thermophilic bacteria, which also can cause an odor. Adjust your water heater to the manufacturer's recommended setting.

Water heaters that have been shut off for long periods of time also can generate a rotten egg odor. Additionally, the metal used for the sacrificial anode in some water heaters can reduce naturally-occurring sulfate in the water to sulfides, causing a rotten egg odor. 

Drinking water delivered through the municipal system can sometimes look "milky" or "cloudy." This cloudiness often occurs when air becomes trapped in the water.

While this may impact the water's appearance, it does not affect the water's safety and will not harm household plumbing systems.

Air can be introduced in many ways, including the groundwater pumping process, water pipeline maintenance or temperature differences when cold groundwater is brought to the warmer surface.

Because water pipelines are pressurized, air remains trapped in the water until you open the faucet and release the pressure—similar to the effect created when you open a bottle of soda. The thousands of tiny air bubbles that form give the water a slightly white appearance.

You might specifically notice a change in your tap water's clarity during the summer months. The tiny air bubbles are caused by the introduction of well water to augment Lake Mead supplies and meet our peak summer demand.

There's an easy way to test whether cloudy water is due to trapped air. Fill a glass with tap water and set it on the counter. Observe the water for a minute or two. As the air dissipates, water should clear up.

Check the water coming from the outside hose bib on your home. If water is clear at the hose bib, the cause of discoloration could be due to internal plumbing. If the water from the hose bib is discolored, it could be due to construction work, fire department hydrant exercises, or water main repairs. You can check at the street to see if construction is being done in the area or check the area around fire hydrants to see if they were exercised recently.

Open the cold water tap closest to the water meter and run the water for three to five minutes to see if the water clears up. If the discoloration persists after five minutes, you may have to repeat the flush again (this may take several hours for sediments to settle). Once the water has cleared up, open the remaining cold water taps in the home or building and run the water for another three to five minutes. Flush toilets and run other plumbing fixtures in the home or business.

Remember to clean aerators on faucets periodically to remove any accumulated particles.

• White particles: White particles in the water indicate that mineral deposits or scale that have formed on piping or plumbing fixtures have dislodged and come loose.
• Sandy/Rocks: Sediment in the toilet tank comes from mineral build up in our water or materials from the toilet tank settling at the bottom of the tank.
• Black particles: Particles that appear to be black and float to the surface could either be degrading of carbon filter from an at-home water treatment system, water softener resin, or plumbing components (such as rubber gaskets). It is important to replace plumbing parts routinely to avoid degradation.
• Orange/Brown beads ("fish eggs"): Some customers who have water softeners installed may see orange or brown beads in their water, sometimes referred to as “fish eggs.” This occurs due to filter media breakthrough from the water softener. 

For any of these observations, first check the water coming from the outside hose bib. If water is clear at the hose bib, the issue is isolated to the internal plumbing. Contact a professional plumber or the water softener manufacturer for assistance.

Water is considered "hard" when it contains a high level of dissolved minerals. In the Las Vegas Valley, the two nontoxic minerals that cause our hard water are calcium and magnesium. They're carried into Lake Mead from the mineral-dense Colorado River and do not pose a health risk.

Hard water can make it difficult to produce a lather (or suds) while washing.

It also can leave a chalky build-up on fixtures and spots on glassware. These effects are solely aesthetic—they don't affect your health.

Water Hardness Test Strips

What they are:
You can purchase water hardness test strips online or at most home improvement stores.

How to use them:

1. Fill a clean glass with cold tap water.

2. Dip the test strip into the water for a few seconds.

3. Remove the strip and compare the color to the chart included with the kit.

Your results:
The color will show the hardness level of your water, measured in grains per gallon (gpg).

How to Soften Hard Water

The most effective way to treat hard water in your home is with a whole-house water softener. There are also smaller, short-term options for specific uses.

Whole-House Solution

Water Softener

• Treats all water entering your home.

• Uses ion exchange to replace calcium and magnesium with sodium ions.

• Prevents mineral buildup in pipes and appliances.

• Helps laundry come out cleaner and dishes sparkle.

Local or DIY Methods

Boiling

• Works for small amounts of water.

• Removes temporary hardness by allowing minerals to settle.

• Water must cool before use.

Baking Soda

• Adding sodium bicarbonate can neutralize hard water minerals.

• Best for cooking or baths in small amounts of water.

Shower Head Filter

• Softens water at one fixture.

• Provides benefits for bathing but doesn’t affect the rest of your home’s water.

There are several ways to reduce problems associated with hard water, including the use of:

• Dishwasher rinse aids
• Laundry detergents that contain water-softening agents
• Bath salts such as Epsom salts
• Lime- or mineral-dissolving household cleaners

Deposits on fixtures and countertops can be prevented by wiping surfaces dry. Mineral residue on surfaces only occurs when water is allowed to evaporate.

Yes. Hard water is generally safe to drink and can even provide beneficial minerals such as calcium and magnesium.

The main issues with hard water are not health-related but practical:

• Mineral buildup (limescale) on fixtures and appliances

• Reduced soap effectiveness

• Possible clogs or wear in water heaters and plumbing

If you want to avoid these inconveniences, a water softener can be installed to remove excess minerals.