Does your tap water taste or smell different? Here's why By FOX 5 DC Digital Team Published (Photo by Marius Becker/picture alliance via Getty Images) WASHINGTON (FOX 5 DC) - D.C. residents from now through May 17 may notice a slight change in the taste and smell of their drinking water due to a chemical change. The disinfectant in drinking water will temporarily switch from chloramine to chlorine, the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority announced. "DC Water purchases treated drinking water from the Washington Aqueduct," the company explains on its website. "Each year, the Aqueduct switches disinfectants from chloramine back to chlorine to clean our water distribution system and improve water quality. During the temporary switch, DC Water will also conduct system-wide hydrant flushing to enhance water quality. This program is a common practice for many U.S. water systems that normally use chloramine throughout the year."