Although it is tested 300,000 times a year and meets or surpasses all state and federal drinking water standards, Southern Nevada’s Rocky Mountain mineral-rich tap water has a taste. Some people detect the small amount of chlorine used in the treatment process to protect their water on its way to their tap. Others notice the water’s hardness caused by naturally occurring calcium and magnesium that dissolve into the Colorado River. While all water has a taste, don’t confuse taste with safety.
Long before you fill a glass from your tap, your water is treated to the highest drinking water standards and sampled and tasted by the Southern Nevada Water Authority’s (SNWA) trained tasting panel. With their trained and sophisticated palates, the SNWA’s tasting panel can detect subtle changes in the taste or aroma to help ensure Southern Nevada’s drinking water’s quality, safety and reliability.
Still, everyone’s tastebuds are different. So, how can you enhance the taste of your hard, mineral-rich tap water? The SNWA has some simple and affordable recommendations:
- CHILL: Place a pitcher of tap water in the fridge for a few hours, allowing chlorine to naturally dissipate from the water.
- FLAVOR: Fruits offer a variety of options to infuse new flavors in your water. Add a lemon or orange slice to give your tap water some zing.
- FILTER: Consider purchasing an inexpensive activated carbon filter, like those commercially available in carafes and pitchers. While activated carbon filters cut down on the chlorine taste, they do not remove hardness or minerals.
- MAINTAIN: If you have an in-home filtration system, follow its recommended maintenance schedule, including filter replacement.
You’ve got a lot on your plate; the SNWA is taking care of what’s in your glass. So, treat yourself to a cold, refreshing glass of tap water sourced from the Rocky Mountains. Add a lemon twist and let naturally occurring minerals keep you hydrated and healthy!
Get free information about in-home water treatment and filtration systems and learn more about the safety, delectability and quality of your tap water at snwa.com.
Members of the editorial and news staff of the Las Vegas Review-Journal were not involved in the creation of this content.