While some believe water is water — H2O and nothing more — that belief changes quickly during a taste test. Some water can taste crisp and refreshing, while the next glass tastes flat or harsh. There is no comparison, and one of the most common reasons for that is mineral balance.
This is how minerals influence water quality — and how a water filtration solution can help.
Which Minerals Influence Water Taste?
When drinking from two different water sources, you may wonder, "Why does water taste different?”
Dissolved minerals are what give water its flavor and texture. Pure H2O tastes bland, which is where trace minerals come into play. Calcium, magnesium, and sodium, in particular, create the unique taste and mouthfeel of various spring and tap waters. Here’s how:
- Calcium adds body and richness to water, which is why spring waters are often pleasantly described as being “heavier” due to the way it thickens the texture of water. When calcium levels are high, some can even detect subtle milky or sweet notes.
- Magnesium offers crispness, but can also create a bitter flavor. When levels are low, magnesium adds refreshing complexity. However, once levels rise, water can start tasting sharp, dry, or metallic.
- In tiny amounts, sodium can enhance the flavor of water and smooth out bitter notes. When it comes to premium mineral water, brands balance dissolved salt levels to achieve superior flavor — but there is definitely a sweet spot. You want just a subtle hint, far below the threshold where it actually tastes salty.
It’s all about the right balance, as certain levels can become a problem.
When Mineral Levels Become a Problem
You want some minerals and electrolytes in water. It’s when there’s an imbalance of minerals that potential issues arise.
One of the most significant issues is dealing with hard water minerals. Once calcium and magnesium exceed the recommended levels, you can get scale buildup in your home’s plumbing. Homeowners then face a reduction in their appliances’ lifespans. Hard water can also dry out your skin and hair.
Mineral imbalance in your water also impacts how it tastes. For example, your tap water may taste bitter or metallic.
How Filtration Can Change the Drinking Experience
When you taste filtered vs. unfiltered tap water, especially when there is an obvious mineral imbalance, you immediately notice a difference. There are several options when implementing a filtration system, depending on your goals.
For example, carbon filters target many impurities. This solution helps improve taste and odor, making tap water more refreshing and clean-tasting. Depending on your filtration system, a carbon filter typically handles stage 2 filtration, preceded by a stage 1 sediment filter. It is the carbon filter that handles chemical absorption, targeting chlorine and VOCs. However, minerals continue to pass through.
When you want to target Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), you’ll require a reverse osmosis (RO) system. These systems are the most effective method for reducing TDS, heavy metals, microplastics, and synthetic chemicals like PFAS in your tap water.
When choosing a filtration system for your home or workplace, it’s important to select one that aligns with your goals. So, if your goal is to improve the balance of minerals, you’ll want to invest in either an activated carbon filter or an RO system with a remineralization stage.
How Brio Solutions Can Assist Your Water Taste Goals
Brio offers a large collection of multi-stage filtration options to target taste-altering contaminants.
If your water has a chemical taste or smells like rotten eggs, carbon filtration may be your best bet. However, for pure, refreshing water, an RO system is a broader, more comprehensive solution. Begin with your home water quality test to assess your exact needs.
Once you know what you want to target, you can pick the best option while weighing factors like space constraints, desired features, and unit styles. For example, you can choose between undersink filtration, point-of-use coolers, and RO coolers. Choosing the right system for you depends on your priorities.
RO Coolers
An RO system will yield the purest water. These systems remove up to 99.9% of contaminants and come in various options depending on your goals. Seeking an RO cooler? Check out the Brio 500 Series 4-Stage RO Bottleless Water Cooler.
Undersink Filtration
Undersink solutions offer space-saving advantages and on-demand flow. The Brio SIMPL Tankless Reverse Osmosis Undersink Filtration System and the Brio AQUUS Tankless Reverse Osmosis Undersink Filtration System are two examples.
Point-of-Use Cooler
With point-of-use (POU) systems, you can choose a bottleless water cooler or an under-sink RO system. If you’re looking for a free-standing, bottleless model, there are many to choose from, including the Moderna 730 Series 4-Stage RO Bottleless Water Cooler.
Read more: Comparing Brio Water Coolers: Which One Is Right for You?
Find Your Better-Tasting Water Solution
Ready to invest in better-tasting water? Brio has a solution for you. Browse the complete collection and contact the Brio team with any questions about your ideal solution.
