Why Is Your Tap Water Cloudy? Causes and Solutions
Sep 23rd 2024
Ever wondered why tap water can appear cloudy? While the most common cause is harmless trapped air, you'll still want to make sure that your cloudy water is not caused by another issue, such as pollutants. The presence of metals, minerals, or bacteria can all be potential causes, as can hard water. Drinking contaminated water can present health risks, while hard water can damage your pipes and plumbing, making it essential to address cloudy water as soon as you notice it.
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This article covers common causes of cloudy water and how to prevent or fix it.
Causes of Cloudy Tap Water
The source of your cloudy water can mean varying solutions, so you'll first want to figure out what's causing your water troubles. While some cloudy tap water may be safe to drink, cloudy water with a bad color, such as green, yellow, or brown, may contain harmful contaminants.
Here are the most common causes of cloudy white water from the tap:
1. Harmless Air Bubbles
Cloudy white water from the tap is often caused by harmless tiny air bubbles trapped in the pipework. Like any bubbles, the air rises to the top of the water and releases into the air, clearing up the water. That's why it might appear cloudy when you first pour a glass of tap water and then it dissipates within minutes. A change in your water supply's pressure, which can result from pipe issues or repair work happening nearby, can cause this phenomenon.
While cloudy water caused by air bubbles is safe to bathe in, cook with, and drink, it can indicate other problems. High water pressure can cause more water to flow down into the drain unused, meaning more water wasted and higher water bills. Excessive high water pressure can also impact your appliances, wearing them down faster.
2. You Live in a Hard Water Area
If you have cloudy water from the tap that never clears, you might have hard water — water with a high amount of dissolved minerals. Hard water occurs when rainwater falls, travels along the ground and picks up sediment from the terrain. If the ground in your area is rich in calcium or magnesium, you likely have hard water.
Other signs of hard water include:
- White spots on glass dishes after washing them
- White or discolored mineral deposits on water appliances
- Stiff and discolored clothes after washingWhile hard water is safe to drink, it can lead to limescale buildup in pipes and plumbing, which can lower the life span of appliances and reduce the effectiveness of soap and detergents. Bathing in hard water can also leave your skin dry and itchy.
3. Methane Gas
While uncommon, methane gas can be present in household water supplies, leading to cloudy tap water. It is usually found in well water near active fracking sites but can also be introduced by contaminated groundwater. Although highly flammable, methane gas rapidly dissipates when it reaches the top of water and into the air.
If your tap water quickly clears and air bubbles are not the cause, methane contamination is likely at the root of your cloudy water. Water with methane gas might also sputter, make a gurgling noise from the well, or reveal visible gas bubbles in a water sample.
Methane concentrations below 10 mg/L are generally considered safe for use, though homeowners with concentrations above 28 mg/L should take immediate action to lower these levels. Methane gas can build up in poorly ventilated areas such as bathrooms or laundry rooms, leading to a fire or explosion if levels are too high.
4. Low Outdoor Temperatures
Colder temperatures may be the culprit for cloudy water in late autumn and winter. Cold water holds more air than warm water, and cold weather extremes increase the solubility of air. As a result, if it's cold outside and your cloudy water clears as it warms, it's likely due to low temperatures. However, if you experience cloudy hot water from the tap, this could indicate an issue with your water heater that will need to be addressed by a plumber.
5. Particulates or Sediments in the Water
High concentrations of total suspended solids (TSS) can also lead to cloudy water. These are particulates that show up in your water even after treatment. They can come from organic sources like algae or inorganic sources like sediment, sand, clay, and silt. When municipal water treatment lags or contaminant levels are high, viruses, bacteria, lead, mercury, and pesticides can attach to TSS and cause cloudy tap water. While lower levels are generally safe to drink, high TSS levels can indicate poor water quality, and drinking it can pose health risks.
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How to Fix Cloudy Tap Water
The solution to your cloudy tap water will depend on the source of the issue, but common fixes include:
- Use a water softener: If you have hard water, installing a water softener can help prevent stains and mineral buildup on your plumbing fixtures. However, while water softeners can offer fresh-tasting water, they don't actually clean or filter it.
- Contact your state health department: If you suspect methane gas is the culprit, you'll want to contact your local state health department or environmental protection department to measure the exact levels, especially if you live in an area with natural gas development or pipelines.
- Consult a plumber: If you notice cloudy hot water from the tap, consult your plumber to address potential problems with your water heater.
- Install a water filtration system: If contaminants from TSS are causing cloudy tap water, water filtration can be the ideal solution. While testing your water is important, the easiest way to protect yourself from contaminants in your drinking water that you can see and not see is to have a reliable filtration system, like the Multipure Aqualuxe or Aquaperform, that treats these impurities.
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While cloudy water, in most cases, indicates air bubbles, some causes have more serious implications. When contaminants are present in your drinking water, you'll need a reliable filtration system to treat them and protect yourself and your family.
Multipure's drinking water systems can reduce contaminants in your drinking water and provide you with clean, fresh-tasting water. For over 50 years, our water filtration systems have helped reduce contaminants and provide fresher, cleaner water for homeowners. Our Aqualuxe and Aquaperform are certified under NSF Standard 53 to effectively reduce microplastics, arsenic, lead and forever chemicals (PFOAs and PFOs) in water.
Both systems can improve your water's taste and smell, offering a refreshing experience with every sip. To learn more, browse our drinking water systems, or contact us today.