Have you ever turned on your tap in the kitchen or bathroom only to discover that the water that is coming from it looks milky or is cloudy? You may find yourself wondering if your water is safe to drink and you may want to know how you can make it less cloudy. It is not always easy to determine the cause of cloudy water just by taking a look at it, so you may wish to have your water regularly tested to ensure that you know that it does not contain any harmful ingredients.
The causes of water being cloudy are numerous, but some of the possible causes are minerals, bacteria and metals. The cloudy appearance of water could also be caused by hard water and if this happens to be the cause, a water softener will soften and clear your water and also assist in the protection of your plumbing pipes.
Why is my Tap Water Cloudy?
One of the main causes of tap water having a cloudy or milky appearance is air trapped in the water. For the majority of this cause of cloudy water, as the water sits, the air will slowly escape the water and completely resolve once the water has had a chance to sit for a short amount of time.
If the water that comes from every tap in your home has the same cloudy look, but the cloudiness dissipates after a time, this may be caused by a pressurized water system. If the cloudy water only comes through one tap it could be an issue with that particular tap. If your hot water is cloudy, there may be a problem or an issue with your hot water heater. Water that has a different colour such as green, brown or yellow could be caused by the presence of minerals or metals or possibly even bacteria. If the water is cloudy but does not settle after sitting still in a container, you may have hard water which is caused by certain minerals.
My Hot Water is Cloudy – Why?
Sometimes water from the hot water tap can appear cloudy. Since water is comprised of gases – oxygen and hydrogen, it can expand when it freezes or when it heats to a steam state. Water can bond with many types of gases and minerals and this causes them to become trapped in the water. As you heat the water, it can have a cloudy appearance because the molecules are expanding, and this traps other gases which have the appearance of small air bubbles which rise to the surface and are released back into the air.
Is Cloudy Water from a Tap Safe for Drinking?
Are there any dangerous effects from drinking cloudy water? Drinking water that is cloudy as a result of trapped air does not have any effect on one’s health, but it can cause wear in plumbing pipes or cause stains in your sink. If the water has an odd colour such as green, brown or yellow and is also cloudy, it may be unsafe for consumption, but that depends on what the main contaminants are. Cloudy water can cause a buildup of hard water in plumbing pipes and this can have an effect on the life span of appliance as well as reducing the effectiveness of cleansing products, soap and laundry detergent.
What can you do About Cloudy Water?
Some of the easiest solutions for your cloudy water are a filtration system, a water softener system or a special drinking water system. If you do not know why your water is cloudy and it does not settle when it sits in a container then it is never a bad idea to get in touch with a local plumbing company that can conduct some in-home water testing. This testing is usually done at no cost and can determine the cause of your water issues.
It is a good idea to take action and have your water tested if it has a funny taste or odour to it. This is usually an indication that the water is not fit for consumption without some kind of treatment. Water testing is usually very affordable and will give you the answers that you seek regarding your water system and what needs to be done to ensure that it is safe for drinking.