My Tap Water is Cloudy — Should I Be Worried?

Have you been bothered by your water appearing cloudy? Depending on where you live, your water supply, and your municipal water infrastructure, your tap water can consistently appear opaque, cloudy, or milky – But don’t be alarmed, in most cases there are some relatively simple explanations and solutions. Life would be a lot easier if we didn’t have to worry about your water, the air we breathe, or the food we eat, but as time goes on it always seems like there’s something new. Regardless, there are ways to manage your cloudy water.

You can usually resolve cloudy water issues on your own, but if nothing works, contact your municipality for further insight.

Most likely, tiny air bubbles get trapped in your tap water. You’ll know whether your water has air bubbles or not if the cloudiness dissipates within a few minutes. The temperature of your water can influence the amount of air bubbles. The colder the water, the more likely there will be bubbles. Air in your water isn’t anything to worry about for your health but is something to keep an eye on for the long term.

Dirt, sand, or rust particles can sometimes make their way into your water and fog up your water. This is either due to an issue with your municipalities water services or the plumbing in your home. Either way, test your water to find out if it contains elements that could reduce the lifespan of your pipes.

Hard water is common and forms when water absorbs high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium. Hard water can leave a chalky residue on your appliances at home if left untreated, in addition to causing dry skin. Heating water causes minerals to precipitate out, which creates a cloudy appearance.

There is a phenomenon that occurs called “cold-induced precipitation” with cold water where it appears cloudy due to dissolved minerals in the water coming out of the solution and forming tiny particles. If this happens just wait for the water to come to room temperature, and it should appear clear again.

Just like the first point, inconsistent water pressure can cause air to become trapped in the water and it can then appear cloudy. Regardless, it’s only an aesthetic issue and goes away with time.

Overall, cloudy water is a common issue and one that is likely to be a simple fix. Thankfully, at Culligan we have all the expertise and know-how to solve your cloudy water issues. If you’re pouring yourself a glass of water and it’s looking unappetizing, give us a call. Our line of products, including reverse osmosis systems, whole-house filters, and smart systems can bring your home’s water up to speed in no time.