Why do some consumers choose bottled water over tap water? The most cited reason netizens give in the Reddit community is convenience – you can take a bottle of water anywhere and quickly quench your thirst.
But what makes people favor it is its subtle flavor; most bottled water products taste better than tap water, and this difference sparks the curiosity of many.
So, how to make tap water taste like bottled water? There are two ways to do that: install a water filtration system or add some DIY flavors. Read below to learn more!
Table of Contents
Methods to Make Tap Water Taste Like Bottled Water
There are several effective ways to make water taste good, but we’ve boiled them down to three:
Method 1: Install a Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
An RO filtration system is capable of removing a broad spectrum of contaminants to make tap water taste better than ever, similar to fluids of popular bottled water brands like Dasani (which also uses RO filtration for water treatment).
What Will You Need For The Installation
- Adjustable Wrench
- Tape measure
- Drill and bits (½” – ¼”)
- Level
- Phillips screwdriver
- Hacksaw
- Teflon tape
- Safety goggles
- Channel-lock pliers
- Drain tee (if applicable)
- RO installation kit
1. Plan the installation
Most RO units are installed under the kitchen sink, where the water supply for drinking and cooking is distributed.
Under-sink systems usually need plenty of space for the storage tank and filters. Prepare a tape measure to determine the amount of space available for an RO unit.
Roll it out to the top left corner, and extend it to the right corner of your under-sink cabinet/space. After taking the measurements, you should have a big picture of where your RO setup will sit.
Otherwise, you can install your filtration unit in the basement, garage, or utility room, which is more practical if you have a cramped space under the sink. Please note that you need additional tubing in these areas.
Next, check the fittings of your cold water supply line. Depending on whether you have a ½ inch or ⅜ inch RO line, you may need to buy an adapter. Generally, ½ inch will fit most cold water lines, which is also ½ inch in size.
2. Get your unit ready
After removing your RO unit from its packaging, try fitting the connections and see if they match the plumbing of the area. It will help you determine if a pipeline adjustment is needed before proceeding with the installation.
If yes, you need to call a plumber to adjust the water system and locate any impending issues.
3. Mount the RO faucet
Most RO units have a dedicated faucet that needs to be drilled on the sink countertop. Please take note that granite or porcelain surfaces need special drill bits, namely diamond core ones.
Using a pencil, mark the point on the surface where you want to install the faucet. Leave enough allowance for it to swivel and drip on the sink smoothly.
Use a ½ ” drill bit to make a wide opening. Place the point of the bit on the mark and start drilling.
Apply light pressure while doing this step. Wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from any particles ejected from the drill.
Alternatively, if you have a sink sprayer installed that you rarely use, you can detach it from its mounting hole and replace it with the RO faucet.
Run the feed lines into the plunged hole and put the faucet into place (make sure the air gap tube is installed first).
4. Position the tank
Wrap the Teflon tape around the threaded outlet of the tank clockwise. 6 wraps should provide a watertight seal.
Next, screw the water valve onto the tank and use your hand to tighten the connection. Move the tank under the sink.
5. Install the RO assembly
Generally, DIYers install their RO system on the left or right sidewalls of their sink cabinet. It should be 2” off the floor to allow for adequate filter replacement and maintenance space.
Level the unit. Mark the mounting location then screw the hanger washer on it. Install each filter housing using the filter wrench provided.
6. Connect the green water line
Start by turning off your cold water supply. Join the ¼ inch green supply line to the storage tank valve and the outlet port of the filter system.
As mentioned in Step #1, prepare an adapter tee if your sink uses a different size of flex lines than your RO unit.
7. Attach the remaining tubing
There is a tube joining the drain valve and flow restrictor, another one for the faucet/spigot connector on the tank, and lastly, another one for the feed valve of your RO system. To make sure you don’t forget any lines, check the filter manual.
8. Install the drain tee
Drill a ¼” hole in the drainpipe; if you have a horizontal tailpiece, bore a hole into the top half of the pipe.
Install the tee around the existing pipe with the bolts provided. Make sure that the connection is tight but don’t over-tighten it.
9. Check the water pressure
Turn the cold water supply back on and open the tap on the kitchen sink for two hours. Once you see a steady stream, turn off the faucet.
Fix any loose fittings and check for leaks as well; let the system run for 24 hours to eliminate any carbon particles that can cause cloudiness in the water.
Generally, manufacturers recommend 3-5 gallons of water to flush a new water filter. The installation is successful once the water runs clear.
Method 2: Make Fruit Flavor-Infused Water
If you’re looking for the most natural way to make sink water taste better without a filter, try to infuse citrus fruit extracts into your tap water.
Citrus fruits like lemon, lime, and orange can improve taste of water by neutralizing chlorine, thereby providing a tangy and refreshing taste to your tap water.
Fruit infusion also provides nutritional benefits that can be a great alternative to Fiji Water. What’s more, adding fruits to your drinking water is easy.
Detailed Steps:
- Slice a citrus fruit of your choice.
- Drop it in your drinking glass or pitcher.
- Chill the water overnight for maximum flavor.
Method 3: Boil Your Drinking Water
Does boiling tap water make it taste better? The answer is a big YES! It’s a simple yet effective way to purify your water without adding anything.
Boiling your water kills bacteria and other disease-causing organisms in the water. It allows chlorine and other chemicals to evaporate and dissipate as vapor, creating a crisp and refreshing taste like spring water.
Detailed Steps:
- Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil
- Add a pinch of salt for each liter of water to enhance the taste (optional)
- Let the boiled water cool down before drinking
- Pro Tip: If you have cloudy water, filter it using a clean cloth, paper towel, or a coffee filter. Remove all visible particles before following the steps above.
Why Does My Tap Water Taste So Bad?
The biggest culprit in your bad-tasting water is no other than the harmful contaminants that leach into your water supply.
The most common contaminants present in your drinking water are dissolved solids, chlorine, chloramine, and heavy metals like lead, iron, arsenic, and copper.
The five major sources of water contamination are faulty storage tanks, problematic waste disposal, agricultural/industrial runoff, and water treatment facilities.
Once you notice a sudden change in the taste, smell, and appearance of your tap water, get it tested. Various factors, including your home plumbing system, may threaten your water supply.
Do Water Filters Make Water Taste Better?
Yes, water filtration systems are deemed to be the long-term solution to your bad-tasting water.
Filters remove a broad range of physical, inorganic, organic, bacteriological and other elements that leaves a strong taste/odor in your drinking water.
As discussed, reverse osmosis is considered one of the versatile options in the market because of its superb filtration ability and energy efficiency. Even so, some homes with extremely hard water may need a water softener before using an RO system.
Hence, it is essential to test your water supply to determine what contaminants it contains. Then, you can decide what water filtration system suits your home the best.
Conclusion
How to make tap water taste like bottled water? Invest in a reverse osmosis system, which offers the finest solution to all-known impurities in your drinking water.
If you’re looking for budget-friendly yet viable options, it’s never too late to experiment with DIY water treatment solutions such as boiling and fruit infusion. You may try other purification methods like UV filters as well.
I hope you find our tips and hacks helpful for your water problems! We’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.
I am Natalie Bridges. You can call me Nat. I am the content creator of Saveourh2o. My main job is researching common concerns you need help with, and about your home’s water system. I aspire to incorporate Ronald’s experiences, and customers’ feedback on different products, as well as expert’s advice to offer you the most informative content.