Why Does the Water Taste So Bad in Forsyth County?

There’s something off in the water, and no, you’re not imagining it. That swampy, earthy aftertaste? That feeling that you’re drinking mud in a cup? It’s real and it’s everywhere in and around Forsyth county.

We know because we’ve tasted and smelled it ourselves. So what’s going on and what can we do about it?

The Water Smells Bad in Alpharetta!

A couple weeks ago, I went out to eat in Alpharetta with some friends. The waitress poured us glasses of water and stepped away. We looked around at each other and squinted suspiciously, wondering what that smell was. After taking a sip of the water, we realized that’s where it was coming from. Murky. Stale. Not quite moldy, but something close to it.

When the waitress came back around to get our food order, we kindly asked if we could order some sodas and explained that there might be something wrong with their water. “Yeah, I know,” she said. “It’s pretty bad, and I’m sorry but there’s nothing we can do about it. It smells and tastes like that everywhere!”

She was right. It wasn’t just their restaurant. It wasn’t their pipes. It was the source.

What’s Wrong With the Water in Forsyth County?

On October 16th, Forsyth County put out an official update on the drinking water. They explained the recent outpouring of complaints about the musty taste, the strange odor, that unmistakable flavor of pond scum floating in your morning coffee.

The culprit? A natural compound called geosmin, accompanied by its tagalong friend MIB (methylisoborneol). Both are produced by algae in surface water and while both are harmless, they’re extremely potent in smell and taste.

If your nose is even a little sensitive, you’re likely picking up on it in the tap water right now. You’re not imagining things. We’ve seen countless posts on Nextdoor and Facebook reporting the same exact thing.

Can We Fix the Poor Tasting Water?

Yes and no. That’s probably not what you wanted to hear, but let us explain.

These compounds slip through treatment processes pretty easily. Forsyth County’s update was clear: there’s nothing dangerous in the water, and they’re adjusting their treatment practices to account for it, but these taste and smell issues can still linger.

That means if you want your water to taste better, you’ll need to fix it at home.

What You Can Do For Better Water

We often don’t think much about our water until it smells like a damp basement and makes your ice cubes taste like mulch. That’s when water filtration becomes top of mind. Not because it’s trendy, but because you’re tired of brushing your teeth with something that smells like an aquarium. It’s off-putting to say the least.

And this isn’t just about taste. If you’re here reading this, odds are you’ve had that glass-in-hand moment. That what-is-this second thought. That reluctant sip. That look across the table where someone else says, “Are you tasting what I’m tasting?”

We’ve heard this from neighbors. From customers. From restaurant owners. The whole north metro Atlanta area is buzzing with the same question: What’s wrong with the water?

Let’s talk solutions.

Whole-House Water Filtration Systems

The idea behind a whole-house water filtration system is simple: clean water from every single tap in your home. No more filtering pitchers by the sink. No more bottled water on bulk order. No worries about your shower or bath water. Just clean, crisp water flowing from every tap.

We install several kinds of filtration systems at RX, but the one that makes the biggest difference for our region’s specific contaminants is reverse osmosis (RO).

RO filters are next-level. They force water through a semi-permeable membrane that strips out not just dirt or chlorine, but also compounds like MIB and geosmin. If you want the best water, RO is your best friend.

While we can also install an RO system for just a single tap, like your kitchen faucet, a whole-house system means clean water for drinking, for cooking, for showering, for laundry, etc. Your clothes won’t smell like musty tap water and your rice won’t absorb that funky flavor.

Is a Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System Overkill?

Not if you’ve tasted Forsyth’s water lately.

Honestly, many people think these systems are for ultra-health folks or people with highly sensitive skin. But when a public utility starts pumping out water that makes people gag, a filtration system suddenly feels less like a luxury and more like a necessity. Something every house should have.

Is Poor Tap Water Just a Temporary Issue?

This particular spike in poor scent and taste usually happens temporarily in late summer or fall, but that’s the thing… it’ll be back. When this happens, we’re reminded that our tap water isn’t as good as it could be. This applies to the rest of the year when you can’t taste a distinguishable difference. We analyzed Cumming’s official Water Quality Report for 2025 and found that there are multiple contaminants and byproducts sitting in our tap water that are at unsafe levels.

So if you’re tired of crossing your fingers every time you turn on the tap, a permanent fix is worth it.

Are There Other Water Filtration Options?

Some customers ask us about under-sink filters or those faucet attachments. And yes, they can help a little. But they’re spot solutions. They won’t help your shower water. They won’t help your laundry. They won’t stop your dishwasher from stinking up your glassware.

Plus, most of them don’t filter out compounds like MIB or geosmin unless they use activated carbon, and even then, they only do so at the source.

We’ve also seen people try boiling the water to get rid of the smell. Bad idea. Geosmin actually becomes more pronounced when heated. Your tea will taste worse, not better.

Forsyth County Isn’t the Only One With Poor Water

It’s not just us. Water treatment systems across the country deal with algae blooms and organic compounds. Some cities have multi-million-dollar filtration setups. Others do their best with what they’ve got.

But at the end of the day, your home is your last line of defense.

We’ve installed whole-house RO systems all across Cumming, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, and Suwanee. People call us up after having that bad water experience at home or at a restaurant. They’re done waiting for the water to change. They want clean water now.

RX Plumbing: Comprehensive Solutions

Yes, we do trenchless sewer repair. Yes, we do water line replacements. But we also care a lot about the water that stays in your home. The kind you drink, cook with, bathe in.

So when Forsyth County says “the water is fine,” but your nose says otherwise, we’re here to offer a better option.

We won’t oversell you. If a basic filter works, we’ll say so. But if you’re dealing with water that tastes like compost, smells like mildew, and leaves you apologizing to guests? Let’s talk.

FAQs About Smelly or Bad-Tasting Water in North Georgia

Is Forsyth County’s water safe to drink?

Yes, according to county officials, but there are varying standards for what’s deemed “safe.” The particular taste and smell issues that you’re experiencing are caused by natural compounds, not harmful contaminants. However, there are harmful byproducts like chlorine that exist in our water due to the nature of our counties’ sanitation efforts.

Why does my tap water smell musty?

It’s likely due to the geosmin and MIB compounds produced by algae blooms in Lake Lanier. They’re technically harmless but very noticeable, even in small amounts.

Will a Brita pitcher fix smelly water?

Not completely. Some activated carbon filters can reduce smell, but they don’t always remove these compounds effectively.

Will boiling my tap water reduce the poor smell and taste from these compounds?

No. Boiling can make the taste and smell even stronger because geosmin intensifies with heat.

What’s the best filter to remove bad taste and smell from water?

A whole-house reverse osmosis system is the most effective, but activated carbon filters also help.

Can RX Plumbing install a whole-house filtration system?

Yes. We specialize in installing whole-home RO systems and other filtration setups for North Georgia homes.

How much does a water filtration system cost?

It depends on your home’s size, water usage, and system type. We’ll give you clear options and pricing with no pressure. Reach out for a free quote and get your questions answered!

Is the smelly water from Lake Lanier temporary?

Yes, but it’s also likely to come back next year, and the year after that. Algae blooms are a seasonal issue in Lake Lanier.

Install a Whole-House Reverse-Osmosis Water Filtration System

We’ve helped countless families in Forsyth and the surrounding counties fix their water, and we’ll help yours too. You shouldn’t have to gag every time you turn on your tap.

Call RX Plumbing & Drain and we’ll walk you through your options. No pressure. Just better water in Cumming, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Suwanee, and the surrounding areas.