If your water tastes or smells woody, like pencil wood, this can be caused by older pipework, commonly used in the 1960s and 1970s which have alkathene in them. This is not harmful. Flushing your taps for a few minutes before you use the water will improve the taste. In order to completely resolve the issue you will need to replace your pipework, contact an approved plumber (watersafe.org.uk) for further advice.
