Reasons Your Water May Be Cloudy

If you’re noticing cloudy water coming from your faucet, you might understandably be feeling concerned. When you experience this situation, your first thought is likely to wonder whether your water is safe to drink. Unfortunately, this isn’t as straightforward as you might think. There are some instances where cloudy water is safe to drink and others where it should be avoided. It all depends on the reason why your water is cloudy. Here are some of the most common causes of cloudy water and how to address them.

Air Content

In most instances, cloudy water happens as a result of excess air pockets trapped in the water. While this may look concerning, the water is safe to drink. When you have air pockets in your water, you will notice that they dissipate as the water settles.

This can happen when your city uses a pressurized water system. It can also happen if there are pressure issues in your home’s plumbing. In this case, you might notice the cloudy water coming from just one faucet. The water is still safe to drink, but if this happens, you’ll want to schedule a professional inspection to prevent further damage to your plumbing.

Hard Water Content

Another common cause of cloudy water is hard water content. Hard water is water that contains high levels of calcium, magnesium, and other minerals. If this is the case in your home, you may notice white, scaly deposits around your sinks and appliances. You might also notice that your hair and skin dry out after you shower.

Hard water is safe to drink, but it can have other negative effects on your home. In addition to negatively impacting your skin and hair, hard water can also damage your appliances over time. If you think your home may have hard water content, the first step is to contact a professional to schedule a water test. You can then install a water softener to filter out the high mineral content in your water.

Contaminants

Unfortunately, there are also cases where contaminants make their way into drinking water. In this case, you might notice that your water has a brown, green, or yellow tinge, and you should avoid drinking it. Contaminated water from municipal water sources is very uncommon, but it can happen. Wells can also become contaminated if they aren’t properly maintained.

If you believe your water may contain contaminants, contact a professional right away to have it tested. Your water professional can then maintain recommend a filter to install based on your water content.

Cloudy water isn’t always unsafe to drink, but you shouldn’t take the risk until you know what’s causing the problem. It’s best to have your water supply inspected and tested by a professional so you can determine how to proceed. Atlantic Coast Water Clinic provides a wide variety of residential and commercial water solutions for clients throughout South Florida. Give us a call at 772-283-4767 or contact us online to schedule an appointment.