Pungent, ucky, gross, stale water is probably the ultimate choice of taste to a bee (LOLL). They do not have the same "taste buds" as humans, so our tasteless water is yummy to us, but they may prefer the stinky muck water. Again, gotta LOLL.
I grow lemon balm beside the ditch, wonder if the the above ground/below ground parts of this plant seep into the earth and provide a sweet taste to the muck of the ditch slope? They do love the lemon balm, that is common knowledge. Have a wonderful day, with lots of good health. Cindi