Why Does My Water Taste Salty?

Last updated on January 2nd, 2023

The issue of salty water has gained no concern as it is not considered a common problem. Besides, not everybody has to confront such issues thus,  you may not be able to find out the reasons and solutions for your problems. 

However, if you are dealing with the problem of salty water, in this article, we will provide you with the reasons and solutions for your problem.

After reading the article, you will be able to know the reason behind why your water tastes salty. Plus, we will provide you with the solutions that would help you to resolve the problem. 

Reasons Why Does Water Taste Salty  

If you came here with the confusion of “why does my water taste salty?” It can happen for many reasons. However, the basic three reasons behind the salty taste of the water are the water softener problems, the high concentration of ions, especially chloride ions, and the high concentration of sulfates. 

To get more information in detail, let’s discuss the reasons that cause the salty taste of water in detail. 

Elevated Chloride

The presence of elevated chloride in the water can cause a salty taste of the water as it is considered one of the most common reasons behind the salty taste of the water. 

Besides, you may be able to find out the solution to the problem once you get the reason why and how chloride can come into the water. 

As you know, the basic cause of saltiness in the water is the high concentration of chloride in your drinking water, thus, they encompass the power to produce an awful salted taste in the water.

But the question here is, how does the chloride get into the water? Well, the basic cause of chloride can be the underground aquifers. Besides, surface runoff can also cause a high concentration of chloride in your drinking water. 

Moreover, in local areas, pollution is considered the main problem. It does not only cause respiratory issues but also affects the quality and taste of the water. Moreover, pollution can be a great source of getting chloride in the water especially when you are living in the local area.

The other reasons may include the existence of seawater in your regular drinking water. Seawater contains a high rate of chloride and it can enhance the chloride concentration in the drinking water as well.

People who live near the sea may experience the salty taste of the water as there are many chances that the seawater can enter the normal drinking water. 

Industrial Wastes

Experiencing the salty taste of the water at home and in your offices is due to the industrial wastes and pollution. Besides, the entrance of seawater in the local water puddles can also create a salty taste in your water. 

The irrigation drainage system can also cause salted water. The high concentration of chloride in the water can also occur due to the entrance of seawater. Thus, this is how the people who live near the sea experience salty water. 

High Concentration Of Sulfates

Sulfates are among those types of contaminants that can change the taste of your water. It can make your water taste salty. Such contaminants cause different health issues as well as make it difficult for you to drink water. 

Besides, sulfates are known as naturally occurring minerals that exist naturally on the earth. The mixture of sodium sulfate and magnesium sulfate results in sulfate contaminants. 

The reason behind how sulfates get into the water and make it salty is the groundwater that flows through different rocks and stones.  As sulfates occur naturally, they may be available on the soil and rocks. Thus, when the water flows around such rocks and soil, the sulfates get dissolved into the drinking water.

The other reason can be pollution. Pollution such as the waste of industries can also cause sulfates. Industrial activities such as shale waste are known as the largest reason behind the production of sulfates.  

Contaminants  

In many areas, the water seems safe to drink though they possess small particles known as contaminants that are available in the water. Contaminants contain the power to change the flavor of the water. Thus, testing is an important aspect to do before drinking the water. 

With the help of testing, you can make your water safe for you to drink. Different water filters are being used to test and remove contaminants from the water. 

Keep in mind that, not only the excessive amount of chloride can cause the salted taste of water but there are more than 350 contaminants that are found in water. They change the taste of the water. Plus, the contamination can also put your health in danger. Thus, it is important to keep your water clean.  

Water Softener Problems 

If there is an issue with your water softener, or if it is not working properly, it might also cause a salt taste in the water. Thus, knowing about the reasons why the water softener does not work properly can solve the problem of your salty water as well. 

When the water softener does not work properly, it enhances the chances of the salt getting into your drinking water. Thus, to get salt-free water, it is important to indicate and then solve the water softener problems. 

As you may know, water softeners are very helpful in softening the water and cleaning it until it becomes safe to drink. However, it can also be considered among the complicated types of equipment. As they contain a complex process, thus, they probably stop working and it disturbs the quality of your water as well.

If the water softener does not work properly, it may be because the system is unable to determine the required amount of salt that the water needs.  The other reason may be the blocked system inside the water softener.  

In other words, the water softener can stop working due to the blockage of the drain line or the tanks. After identifying the problem, it is important to solve the issue as soon as possible as it also solves the salted water problem.

However, solving the water softener problems is not a difficult task. You can do it by yourself by removing the blockage. The blockage may be in the tank or the drain line. All you have to do is remove the tank or replace it with another one so that you can solve the salted water issue. 

How To Fix The Salted Taste Of The Water? 

After getting aware of the reasons behind the salted taste of water you are now aware of the solution to your issue “why does my water taste salty?” 

Now, you can find the solutions to overcome your problems as well. Salted water can provide an awful taste, it makes it hard for you to drink the water. 

Moreover,  it can also cause health problems including diarrhea, and other stomach problems.

As you know, the water gets salty for various reasons. The basic reasons comprise the presence of chemicals such as chloride and sulfate in the water. Such harmful chemicals can disturb your stomach as well as creates different health issues.

To make yourself insulated from such problems, you have to make sure that the water you use is free of germs and the taste is not salty as well. Testing the water before utilizing it is something crucial that you should not avoid. 

Here are given some of the basic steps that would help you to get rid of salted or polluted water. 

Test Your Water 

The first thing that you need to do before drinking the water is to test it. Testing the water would help you to get rid of several problems including multiple health issues. However, drinking water without testing would not only provide you with a salty taste but also cause different side effects on your health. 

As we know that the salted taste can also be caused by the presence of some contaminants in the water, thus, testing the water can ensure the presence of contaminants in the water. Moreover, after testing the water, you would be able to know which water treatment is suitable to use for getting rid of the salted taste. 

Filter Out The Contaminants 

The simple and helpful treatment to get rid of the salted water problems is to identify the cause behind the salty taste. Besides, if the contaminants are causing a salty taste in the water, then it is necessary to remove such contaminants from the water. 

The removal of contaminants is an easy process. It does not require any specific treatment, however, you just have to use a good quality water filter pitcher or a carbon filter. 

Utilize Reverse Osmosis System 

Sulfate and chloride that are famous for causing the salted taste of the water are hard to get removed by an ordinary water filter pitcher. Thus, to remove such hard chemicals, you need to utilize the Reverse Osmosis System which is also known as (ROS). 

Unlike other methods that may not remove the dissolved chemicals or minerals, the ROS can remove all kinds of minerals professionally. Moreover, it is considered the most effective treatment to make your water safe from such minerals that affect the taste and quality of the water.

Conclusion 

There are different reasons behind why and how your water tastes salty. Such different causes behind the salted water can make it complicated for you to comprehend the exact reason behind the salted taste of your water. 

However, in this guide, we provided the basic causes and solutions for the salted taste and bad quality of the water. Thus, with the help of this guide, you will be able to recognize and then solve the salty water problems easily.