Жаркая погода меняет вкус питьевой воды: от микробов до «тепловой» иллюзии

Speaking to HuffPost UK previously, Myles Robinson, a former boiler repair company owner, said: “Heat from the air or soil can warm up the water in your pipes, making it feel less refreshing”. That (obviously) makes it warmer. But can it affect its taste, too? Well, according to Dr Bill Simpson, a chartered chemist and specialist in sensory science, and Genevieve Upton, Our Taap’s in-house filtration expert, it can. How can hot weather make tap water taste different? Dr Simpson said that “Warmer pipes mean slightly more microbial activity – this is mostly harmless but occasionally noticeable. Summer water can taste subtly different for that reason.” One study found that a type of bacteria called Coliform bacteria significantly increases in water reservoirs during the summer. Upton added that due to microbes like these, water is treated with chlorine, which is itself odourless and tasteless. “But when it reacts with organic material in the water, and in the pipework it travels through, it produces byproducts – compounds that can taste faintly medicinal, or create a swimming-pool character that some people find noticeable, particularly in warmer months when water companies increase their dosing to compensate for higher bacterial activity.” That’s not the only thing that might be at play here, either, Dr Simpson said. “There’s also something called thermal taste: about one in five people experience a shift in how water tastes simply because the temperature has changed. Same water, different temperature – suddenly it seems more bitter, or metallic, or slightly sweet. “Nothing wrong with the water. Just something interesting about how taste works.” The effect can be so extreme that “Temperature changes alone can trigger a metallic sensation in some people – a kind of phantom taste response”. When should I worry about different-tasting tap water? Still, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t seek help if you notice some changes to your water’s flavour. Thames Water explained that if you notice a petrol or diesel taste or smell coming from your tap, you should contact your water supplier immediately. And per Northumbrian Water, metal-tasting water may mean your pipes are corroding and that it’s time to speak to a plumber.