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On a hot summer day there is nothing more refreshing than a cool glass of water. But what if you get that glass only to find cloudy water in it? Before you dive in, you might not want to drink that milky water. Instead, let it sit to the side for a moment. After a minute, do you still have cloudy tap water in your glass? If you do your white tap water could be caused by a build-up in the pipes which could be creating trapped air. While having milky water certainly isn’t appetizing, it’s worth noting that the presence of cloudy tap water is absolutely harmless.
If you are asking, “Why is my water cloudy,” your primary concern may be whether or not it’s safe to drink white tap water. The answer to that question is yes. That said, having cloudy water can feel strange, so there are things that you can do to get back to that clear, fresh-looking water most people prefer.
Why is My Water Cloudy?
In most cases, cloudy water from the tap, does not stay cloudy for long. What tends to happen is that water moves through your pipes that come from the water supply through your home pipes and finally out the faucet. If airr gets into the pipes somewhere along this process the air may build up, which causes micro-bubbles. This means that there is a good chance that you would have cloudy water.
Another prominent cause of air bubbles in your water is the extreme pressure under which it’s distributed from the source to your tap. Even when it flows out of the faucet, some of the pressure remains, causing the water to look cloudy. However, once you let it sit in a glass for a few seconds without external pressure, the bubble will slowly rise and disappear.
The temperature of the water can also be a primary cause of trapped air bubbles. Coldwater tends to trap air more quickly than warm water. Once it’s kept at room temperature for a while, the bubbles will disappear, and the water will turn clear again.
If your house receives hard water, it will appear cloudy. The easiest way to recognize hard water is to examine your dishes. Hard water tends to leave behind mineral deposits in the form of white spots on your dishes.
Also, when you use hard water to wash your clothes, you‘ll see the color gradually fade. Soaps and detergents failing to produce lather is also a sign of hard water. A more severe cause of cloudy water is the presence of methane gas or a high concentration of iron. In this case, the water will permanently remain cloudy no matter how long you leave it in a glass.
If the water doesn’t turn clear automatically and you’re pretty sure that it’s not hard, then it’s time to get the water tested for contamination. After all, high concentrations of iron and methane gas are harmful to your family’s health.
Is it Safe to Drink Cloudy Water?
Yes. If you’re unable to find out why your water is cloudy, you don’t need to worry about whether or not you can drink it. If you sit it aside for a few moments, in most cases the water will lose its cloudiness. Despite you having cloudy water, you can still bathe, cook, and wash with this water and you will be fine.
How Can I get Rid of Cloudy Water?
If you have cloudy water the best thing you can do is to let it sit for a moment and see if there are air bubbles in the bottom of the water. The air bubbles mean that you have cloudy water because of trapped air in the system and you need it flushed out. If that’s the case, you need to run some water to see if it improves or if you need it to be flushed out more thoroughly.
If you have air bubbles in the top of the water, it could mean that your water has small particles in it. There may be sand, dirt, or other particles in the in the pipes. In this case, you will need to consult a plumber to have the problem fixed.
Do you have cloudy water when it’s running cold? If so, or if you’ve flushed the pipes but still have milky water you may need to contact your water supplier. The problem in this case is likely that you have a leak somewhere in your water line. If that’s the case, they should be able to repair the leak and that should fix the cloudy water.
You can also try using a sediment filter to get rid of cloudy water. These filters should be attached to your faucet so that when the water flows out, it passes through the tight-knit filter mesh. This will separate the harmful sediments from your water and make it look clearer. With the sediments gone, your water might even taste better than before.
If hard water is the main reason behind the cloudy appearance, the best solution is to get a water softener. Good water softeners will not only remove traces of calcium and magnesium that make the water hard but can also help to get rid of excess iron concentration.
Sometimes the problem might also lie in your local water supplier. If you’ve tried everything but nothing seems to get rid of the cloudy water from taps, contact your water supplier.
Ask them about their cleaning and purification schedules and check if other households face the same issue. In case you’re the only one getting cloudy water, installing a quality water filtration system will be the perfect solution.
Along with the water filtration system, make sure you schedule maintenance by a professional plumber to identify any possible issues with your water lines. Your water filtration system will only deliver the best results if the water lines are functioning efficiently.
Will a Water Filter Help Fix my Cloudy Water?
The best water filters have a variety of uses including helping to purify your water. Prices vary depending on whether you want a simple water pitcher or a whole house water filter. A water filter should remove the mist and turn your cloudy water clear again. More importantly than that a water filter can reduce or remove dangerous contaminants from your water. You can opt for something simple like the CuZn UC-200, which will connect under the sink to provide clean water each time the faucet is turned on. Another option for the countertop is the CleanWater4Less filter. The benefit here is that it’s inexpensive and won’t take up a lot of space. Not only that, you’ll also end up with cleaner water.
Remember, having cloudy water doesn’t mean it’s unsafe to drink. Despite that, if you’d like your water to be clear a good water filter can help with that while you’re getting your water problem addressed. If you have additional water problems, we’re here to help!
Ph.D. graduate working as a water quality consultant for many government agencies helping them find solutions to the ever-growing problem of polluted water. Loves a good coffee!
