If you happen to live in Dubai, you may have realized that there is a difference in the taste of tap water and bottled water.
Sometimes it has a taste that has a mineral-like quality, and at other times, it could taste very neutral. Occasionally, it might even have an uncommon smell or taste due to your area of residence or your new place of stay.
You might be wondering why the tap water of Dubai tastes in the way that it tastes.
The answer is not a straightforward one, as one can’t simply say that it is good or bad. The reason behind the taste of drinking water lies with its source, treatment process, minerals, pipes that carry the water as well as temperature of drinking water.
When it comes to a city like Dubai where the drinking water comes into existence through desalinated water, the water-tasting factors do differ.
The following factors influence the tastes of tap water.
The Reasons for Tastiness of Desalinated Water
If you take a sip of water from a spring in a mountain, from a bottle of mineral water and from a glass of filtered water, you will see there’s a difference from each type of water.
Despite all these types of water belong to the same category called “water”, its flavors may be different at the same time.
One of the factors explaining the variety of taste of water is related to the mineral compounds of the water.
Water from natural sources takes the minerals from rocks and soil, thus, contributing to the different tastes we can experience while drinking this water.
Even though desalinated water is obtained from the seawater, desalination does not leave many soluble salts in the water. The process includes purification and adjustment of desalinated water so that it would meet the required level to be delivered to the consumers.
Therefore, this type of water has a different taste from that of water which is rich in useful minerals.
Some people may appreciate the neutral taste of the water, while others may find it dead.
There is nothing astonishing about either of the reactions.
Our views on water are based on our previous experiences with it.
Chlorine taste that may be apparent.
Another usual reason for a difference in taste of tap water is the presence of chlorine.
Chlorine and related cleaning agents are being extensively utilized in drinking water systems due to the fact that they prevent microorganisms’ growth during their transportation across the distribution system.
The amount of chlorine is strictly controlled.
But still, some people are able to discover the presence of chlorine while others may find this taste or smell unnoticeable.
If you have ever poured out your water from a tap, you may have noticed some smell similar to that of swimming pools.
It does not have to mean that there is something wrong with your water.
It is just possible that the person is smelling the disinfecting agent used in the process of cleaning the water.
The Influence of Building on Water's Flavor
This feature is one of the more neglected aspects of the situation.
You may be surprised to learn that two different inhabitants of two different buildings in Dubai could be using the same water supply, but they will still taste different water.
How could it have happened?
It's because the water does not come straight from the processing plant to your cup.
It actually travels through a system of pipelines and gets stored in a tank in some buildings before reaching the flat.
The condition of the tank and its cleanliness as well as the quality of the pipes can affect the water quality.
The time all plumbing systems have been in service may also play its part.
That’s the reason why a person moving from one flat to another might suddenly have a change in the taste of tap water, despite still living in Dubai.
The amount and anything else has not changed; it’s just the way water travels before reaching the tap.
Reasons Why Water May Taste "Metallic"
You may also have heard of the term "metallic taste" in some context as one of the common issues related to tap water.
This may happen due to plumbing matters.
When water stays in pipes for longer periods of time, especially overnight, or if something happened and a certain place was empty for a while, it may acquire some metal grades.
Also, temperature along with how old plumbing systems are play a role here too.
That is why one may find out that water from the tap has a different taste compared to the water that has just come out of the pipe.
If you deal with unpleasant or metal taste in your water on a regular basis, the first step is to check out plumbing and not assume that you get used to water in Dubai.
Hard Water: The Other Side of Oils
Hardness plays a big role too.
Hard water has more minerals in it naturally, especially other essential minerals like calcium and magnesium.
These minerals are not a problem but something necessary.
What they do affect is how water tastes since hard water can have a more noticeable mineral presence.
Such water is often able to leave deposits on a variety of surfaces, be it a tap or a heating kettle.
You probably saw white deposits around faucets or inside a kettle.
Furthermore, this is the reason water behaves differently within homes.
Different variables affect the final taste of water.
Different Tastes of Bottled Water
Taking in various types of bottled water will make you notice their taste depending on the water brand and its composition.
There are several ingredients in bottled water due to which its taste ranges from refreshingly mineral to none at all.
The taste of bottled water depends on the experience you have in consuming it.
If you are used to cold bottled water, then it can be strange for you to drink tap water at room temperature.
Thus, the taste is hardly a good determinant of water quality.
Can You Improve the Flavor of Water from the Tap in Dubai?
Many people like drinking tap water but may not take much pleasure in the taste. A few tricks are helpful.
Drink Cold Water First
Temperature influences the taste of the water to a large extent.
Using cold water has the effect of decreasing certain tastes that otherwise could overpower the water.
Install Water Filter
Whenever you drink water, it is advisable to use a suitable filtration system.
Each filter has its own purpose, which needs to be understood before using it.
Some filters are made for use in the shower, while others work best for drinking water.
Always clean your bottle
Sometimes it’s not the water that’s the problem.
It might be your bottle.
Reusable bottles will develop flavours and smells if they aren’t cleaned properly, especially when used for drinks that aren’t just water.
Having a clean bottle will improve the probability that the water tastes like water rather than yesterday’s beverage.
Therefore, if you use your reusable bottle every day, cleaning it becomes a part of your daily routine.
Taste is individual and the quality of the water is distinct.
One of the essential aspects is to recognize that the terms taste and safety differ.
For instance, a water source may be of a strange taste yet be safe at the same time.
Similarly, a nice taste does not imply that the water is of better quality.
The taste is determined by the minerals, disinfectants, temperature, plumbing system, and personal choice.
However, in case you detect a sudden change in the taste, smell or appearance of your water don’t ignore the change. It is advisable to check the water storage and plumbing systems of the building.
So, why does Dubai tap water taste like it does?
Because it has already gone through a journey before reaching your glass.
So, from what started maybe as seawater, it underwent desalination and treatment, distributed through a distribution network and into a building tank, before trickling down the internal plumbing to reach the kitchen tap.
Any one may affect the final taste.
Though, mouthfeel would be affected by mineral composition, even taste: some would add chlorine flavor detected by disinfection, and some more aspects such as plumbing and storage/location could affect taste more; temperature might change just how one perceives all such attributes.
But just because it is not to everyone's taste, one must not disdain it.
Some say it is because of personal preference.
If one wants tap water but cleaner or with no taste, try looking into filtering. Because then, once a taste is settled on, carrying such water in a reusable LOCH bottle would make hydrating throughout a busy day in Dubai that much easier.
Because good hydration should not be too difficult. The first step lies in understanding exactly what has been put in your glass.
