Organic Contaminants in Water: Cause of Bad Taste & Odour

In many cases, that odd taste or smell is your water’s way of telling you something’s not right. And more often than not, the reason lies in organic contaminants—invisible compounds that don’t belong in your drinking water.

In this blog, we’ll help you understand what causes water to taste or smell unpleasant, where these contaminants come from, and how Pureit’s advanced technology helps you get purified water and ensures every glass you pour is pure, clean, and worry-free.

What are Organic Contaminants?

Organic contaminants are carbon-based compounds that often find their way into water from both natural and industrial sources. These can include:

• Algal by-products (especially during warmer months)
• Pesticides and fertilisers from agricultural runoff
• Chlorine and its by-products used in municipal water treatment
• Residues from decaying plants or leaves in storage tanks or water lines
• Industrial solvents or petroleum compounds in urban water supplies

They may not be visible, but these substances often alter the smell, taste, and even safety of drinking water.

Common Taste and Odour Complaints

While some of these are unpleasant but not immediately harmful, others signal the presence of substances that should not be in your purified water at all.

Why a simple filtration might not be enough?

Basic filters like jug filters or gravity candles might remove sediments and improve taste slightly, but they don’t target most organic contaminants. Some volatile compounds can pass right through these basic layers and reach your glass.

Boiling water? It’s even more limited. Boiling does kill many microbes, but it can’t remove dissolved organic matter or chemicals, and in some cases, it can even concentrate them further as the water evaporates.

How Pureit removes the bad taste & smell?

Pureit water purifiers are engineered to handle the complexities of Indian water sources - be it borewell, tanker, or municipal. 

Activated Carbon Filtration

This stage is crucial for taste and odour. Activated carbon traps and absorbs:

• Chlorine and chlorine by-products
• Pesticides
• VOCs (volatile organic compounds)
• Organic residue from algae or decaying plants

RO (Reverse Osmosis) Filtration

RO technology removes:

• Heavy metals like lead and arsenic
• TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) that often impact taste
• Chemical residues and micropollutants

UV & MF Stages

These work together to eliminate bacteria, viruses, and microbial contaminants, further preventing musty or bio-contaminated smells.

Mineral Enrichment

Pureit models like the Revito Max and Vital Max also restore essential minerals such as calcium and magnesium. This not only balances the flavour but ensures your water is not flat or overly demineralised.

Choosing the right Pureit water purifier for the best tasting water

Depending on your water source and household needs, here are some top picks for purified water:

Pureit Revito Prime RO+UV+MF

Ideal for high TDS or mixed-source homes. Comes with in-tank UV, SmartSense indicators, and a mineral cartridge for taste and safety.

Pureit Vital Max

A high-flow purifier that balances performance with taste. Offers up to 60% water recovery, making it eco-friendly too.

Conclusion

If your water doesn’t taste clean or smells even slightly off, it’s worth paying attention. These aren’t just “quirks” of your local water supply. They’re signs of what might be lingering in your glass: chemicals, by-products, or decaying matter that your body shouldn't have to deal with.

With Pureit water purifiers, you’re not just fixing the flavour—you’re addressing the root of the problem. Taste, smell, and safety all improve when you eliminate what truly doesn't belong.