Clean RO water should taste fresh and neutral. If it suddenly tastes salty, bitter, flat, plasticky or has a smell, something in the purifier needs attention. Most causes are simple and cheap to fix.
Match the taste to the cause
| What you notice | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Salty or “heavy” taste | Worn membrane, or TDS controller set too high |
| Smell like chlorine or medicine | Exhausted carbon filter |
| Musty or rotten smell | Bacterial growth in the storage tank or lines |
| Plastic or rubber taste | New filters or pipes not flushed |
| Flat, tasteless water | Very low TDS – mineral cartridge exhausted |
| Metallic taste | Old mineral / copper cartridge, or corroded fittings |
7 causes and fixes
- Exhausted carbon filter. Carbon removes chlorine, smell and bad taste. Replace the carbon block and post-carbon filters – usually every 6–12 months.
- Dirty storage tank. Water that stands for days can develop a musty smell. Drain the tank, clean it with a soft cloth and clean water, and rinse well.
- Membrane worn out. If the output TDS has gone up, the membrane is not removing salts. See when to replace an RO membrane.
- TDS controller turned up too far. It mixes unfiltered water in. Turn it down and re-check the TDS.
- New parts not flushed. After a service, drain the first full tank of water.
- Mineral cartridge exhausted. Water tastes flat. Replace the alkaline / mineral filter.
- Purifier unused for a long time. After a trip, drain the stored water and run the purifier for 10–15 minutes before drinking.
Prevent it from coming back
- Follow a regular filter change schedule.
- Use the purifier every day or drain stale water after a break.
- Keep the purifier away from direct sunlight and heat.
- Check TDS and pH every few months with a water testing kit.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my RO water smell like rotten eggs?
Usually bacterial growth in the tank or stale water. Drain and clean the tank and change the carbon filters.
Why does RO water taste salty?
The membrane may be worn, or the TDS controller lets too much untreated water through.
Is it safe to drink RO water with a bad smell?
Better not. Fix the cause first – drain the tank, change the carbon filter and flush the purifier.
Need help choosing the right part? Send a photo of your RO or its model name on WhatsApp (96252 23245) and we will tell you exactly what fits. A Basic Service Kit (₹399) replaces the sediment, carbon and alkaline filters in one go.
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