Household purifiers are one of the most practical solutions to access clean and reliable drinking water. However, some users may notice a bad odour in the water coming from the device or in the device itself. This situation is often caused by the wear of the filters, neglect of hygiene or external factors. Identifying the cause of the problem is important both to prolong the life of the appliance and to ensure the quality of the water consumed.

Main Causes of Odour in Water Treatment Devices
Water purifiers When the device emits unwanted odours, this may be an indication that the device is not working correctly. This odour adversely affects the taste and quality of water.
Odour can be caused by a number of factors, such as filters reaching the end of their service life, bacteria growing in the internal structure of the appliance or inappropriate storage conditions. Understanding the root causes is critical for both extending the life of the device and obtaining healthier drinking water.
Failure to replace filters on time
Filters need to be renewed regularly in order to do their job properly. Filters that exceed the usage period have difficulty in retaining impurities in the water and prepare the ground for the formation of bacteria. In such a case, unpleasant odours may appear in the device. Most people use the same filter for a long time without realising that “Water purifier Why does it smell?” may wonder.
Old filters not only cause odour but also affect the taste of the water negatively. Especially when the usage period of activated carbon filters is exceeded, plastic-like or soil odour can be felt from the water. This damages the safety of drinking water and changes its flavour. This problem is eliminated with regular maintenance.
Ignoring the filter change period reduces the efficiency of the device. In the long term, it causes both system malfunction and deterioration of water values. The most basic way to prevent odour formation is to follow the change schedule recommended by the manufacturer.
Bacteria Growth Inside the Device
Water treatment systems are constantly working in a humid environment carries a risk in terms of bacteria formation. Insufficiently cleaned internal chambers or aging filters can lead to rapid proliferation of bacteria. This situation causes bad odour and serious problems in terms of hygiene.
Bacterial growth is more common especially in the summer months because the temperature facilitates the proliferation of microorganisms. Without regular maintenance water purifier odour is felt more intense. Therefore, it is recommended to periodically disinfect the internal parts of the device.
The odour produced by bacteria is usually metallic or mould-like. In such a case, it may be hazardous for health if the device is not used for a long time. This risk can be minimised with professional maintenance services.
Stagnant and Stale Water Accumulation
Water waiting in the water reservoir of devices that are not used for a long time can stale and cause unwanted odour. The minerals dissolved in stagnant water deteriorate over time and create a suitable environment for the growth of bacteria. This is a problem frequently encountered by users, especially on holiday returns.
The odour created by stagnant water is usually mild but unpleasant. To solve this problem, the water in the reservoir should be completely drained during the first use and fresh water should be introduced into the system by switching on the device several times. This process eliminates the odour problem to a great extent.
Unsuitable Storage Conditions
The environment in which the water purifier is located also plays a role in odour formation. When the purifier is used in damp basements or airless areas, bad odours from the external environment can pass into the water. The use of the purifier, especially in areas where chemicals are present, adversely affects the quality of the water.
For the device to work properly, it must be located in an airy and clean environment. Incorrect positioning not only increases the odour but also shortens the operating time of the device. Environment selection is therefore very important.
Odour caused by faucet or hose
The odour may not always be caused by the appliance. It is therefore important to correctly identify the source of the problem. Faucet mixers or hose connections that wear out over time can also cause unwanted odours. It is common for plastic materials to age and give odour to water. This problem can be solved by periodically renewing taps and hoses.
Poor quality or incompatibility of the filter
There are many different filters on the market, but not every product may be fully compatible with the device. When using poor quality or incompatible filters, the odour of the water may deteriorate. This is particularly common when using low quality activated carbon filters.
Using original and suitable filters for the appliance model is critical for odour prevention. Incompatible filters cause not only odour but also insufficient water purification. This is a risky situation for the taste and health of the water.
Bad Odour from Water Supply
In some cases, odour may appear in the water due to the water supply network. Excess chlorine in the mains water or contamination in the pipelines may leave an odour in the water passing through the device. In this case, no matter how well the filters of the device work, it may not be possible to completely remove the odour.
If there is an odour in the water despite regular maintenance of the device, this may be caused by the mains. Odours coming from the mains are usually chemical or metallic. When such a problem is noticed, it is a good step to report it to the local water authority.
Water Purifier Precautions to be taken to prevent odour
Water treatment systems to get efficiency from regular maintenance should not be neglected. Some applications that can be done to prevent odour are as follows:
- Timely replacement of filters according to the manufacturer’s recommendation
- Periodic cleaning of the internal chamber of the device
- Not leaving water in the device when not in use
- Renewal of taps and hoses at regular intervals
- Keeping the device in an airy and clean environment
These steps positively affect both the quality of the water and the life of the device. Hygiene brought by regular maintenance is the most important enemy of odour.
Filter Change Time and Odour Relationship
Filter change times directly affect the performance of the device. “Why does the water purifier smell?” The answer to the question may be in the filter. Expired filters can not fully fulfil the purification task. In such a case, foreign substances passing into the water cause odour.
Activated carbon filters should be renewed every 6 months on average. The replacement time of other filters may vary according to the device model. Exceeding these periods causes deterioration in the taste of the water as well as the odour problem.
It is very important to choose the original product for filter replacement. Sub-industry or poor quality filters may lose their function in a short time and cause odour again. Creating a regular maintenance schedule permanently prevents this problem.
Is it normal if the newly installed purifier smells? How long does it last?
It is normal for newly installed appliances to have a slight odour in the first few days. This is because new filters and parts come into contact with water for the first time. This odour usually disappears spontaneously after a few days of regular use.
If the odour persists for a long time, the parts used in the installation of the appliance should be checked. Incompatible hose or tap heads may cause this situation. For this reason, quality and compatible parts should be preferred during the first installation.
The odour of new appliances is usually harmless, but it can irritate users. Running plenty of water for a few days and not consuming the first water accelerates this process. Thus, the device reaches the desired performance in a short time.
Odour problems encountered in water treatment systems are mostly due to lack of maintenance or misuse. When regular maintenance is done, both the taste and odour of the water is at the ideal level. Rainwater known for its quality products is one of the brands that have gained the trust of users in this area.