Have you been caught with cloudy tap water? Sometimes you’ll notice the water that comes out of your pipes looks a little cloudy and milky rather than clear. This is especially noticeable when you fill a glass with tap water from the kitchen sink.
If you’re in the common practice of drinking town water from the kitchen tap, you might be wondering just how clean it actually is and whether is it safe to drink in the first place.
How clean your drinking water is may depend on what region of Australia you live in, but generally speaking, town water in most parts of the country is safe to drink. Having said that, town water can go through various stages, and broken water mains and busted pipes occur, leading to water contamination.
So, to make it easier for you, we have made this blog on cloudy tap water, why it happens, and if it’s safe to drink!
Water Appears Murky Or Cloudy
As mentioned above, this could simply be due to tiny excess air bubbles in the water, which will clear after standing in a drinking glass for a while. This type of cloudy drinking water is completely harmless. However, if the water doesn’t clear up, it could indicate calcium build-up or contaminant. If this is the case, refrain from drinking the water until the problem clears up.
Muddy Water
Chances are, a leak in a water pipe nearby allows dirt to infiltrate the town water system. You’ll want to contact your local council about the problem or call a plumber for further investigation. Never drink muddy water, as you don’t know what’s causing the issue.
What Are The Causes Of Cloudy Water?
One common cause of water that appears to be cloudy is when the water is full of tiny air bubbles or trapped air. This could be a result of excessive pressure build-up in the water pipes, or it could be due to a filtration system or device attached to the head of the tap itself. That tiny slice of mesh that covers many tap openings creates miniature air bubbles that can make water appear cloudy until the bubbles dissipate. To determine if it’s nothing more than air bubbles, let the glass of water sit for a few minutes and see if the water goes clear.
Other causes could be a build-up of lime or calcium in the water pipes or some trouble with the town’s water system somewhere along the line, and the water supply has become contaminated. If the water appears brown, this is the likely cause.
Try running all the taps in your household for a few minutes to see if it clears up. You might consider installing some type of water filtration system or water purifier in the kitchen. A water filter system removes harmful chemicals from your water. This way, you can be assured of safe and clean drinking water.
Cloudy Tap Water: What Can You Do?
Cloudy tap water may not always be as bad as it sounds. However, if you’re unsure about the quality of your drinking water, have your plumber perform an inspection and offer possible solutions. One solution might be to install a reverse osmosis filtration system in your home. If you live on the Sunshine Coast and need assistance with the water quality in your home, reach out to us today!
Before you head off, for more expert tips and tricks, check out our guide on drainage problems to watch out for around the home!
