A few weeks ago we noticed a musty smell in our tap water, so it was time and we put in a new hot water tank.
This did not solve the problem. We are in a area that flooded a few months ago.

Our utility company came out and took a sample and said it was fine--but--the water is so bad tasting that we cannot drink it, we cannot use it for coffee, it makes it bitter.

Does anyone have any ideas what could be wrong? They are flushing out the hydrants but it has been like this for weeks.

You're going to hafta do a little leg work for me. Go to the outside hose bib closest to the water service line from the meter. Does it taste bad? If not then it sounds like you've picked bacteria up in your system. What smells worse hot or cold? Have you asked you closest neighbor to see if they have the same problem? Does thje water taste worse at one place ? How long has this been going on? Let's have more details. Regards, Tom

Yes, water from outside is the same. All faucets have same smell and taste.

We live in Watseka, Ill, we were flooded out in early January. When I contacted the city they said that there is a smell in the water and they are going to flush all hydrants to elimate it.

They came and took a water sample, said it was fine.They also said that because of the flood, residents were not using enough water and that some of the lines became staginated.

Like I said, we installed a new hot water tank, but still have the taste and odor.

Our crawl space got flooded, but we kept pumping the water out so it did not reach floor level--

Neighbors said they have same smell--this has been going on for about 1 month now.

Need to know if we are getting snowballed!

I'd use another word other then"snowballed". The good news is that it's not your systems problem,( or yours). The bad news is the city apparently isn't going to do anything about it.
The solution, as I see it, would be to get everybody together that's affected and start complaining non-stop. City Hall, The Health Department, The Local News Paper, Hey! That out of get you some attention, (and satisfaction good luck and please keep me in the loop. Tom

Went to city hall, here is their answer: They clorinated the water and it raised the iron level, bacteria is feeding on the iron and is creating a gas, this is where the smell is coming from. They are flushing out all the water mains in hopes this will solve the problem.

Talked to a few of the neighbors and we are all going to pay only 1/2 of our water bills, when I mentioned this to the city hall people, they jumped to action and told me it should be cleared up in a few days. I told them if it was not, I will be getting free water until then.

I want to thank you for taking the time to answer my questions, I will be referring my friends to your site from now on!

Glad we could help, (if even for a little bit). If we can ever be of service just ask. Where is Watseka? I was born and raised in Rockford. Regards, Tom