Why is my Tap Water Cloudy?
Go ahead and take a glass and fill it with water from your kitchen or bathroom faucet. How does the water look? If you notice that your water looks cloudy, milky, or misty, there are a few reasons why. If it’s keeping you from drinking your water, this post will help you understand what’s going on with your water and why you shouldn’t be afraid to drink water from home.
What’s Making my Tap Water Cloudy?
There are two main reasons why tap water is cloudy. The most common reason is also one that should ease your mind about cloudy water. Most likely, all that’s happening is a bunch of tiny air bubbles are making their way up and out of your water. Leave your water alone for just a minute and the cloudiness will go away as the bubbles pop.
Many kitchen and bathroom faucets are equipped with aerators, which are little devices at the end of your faucet that mix your water with air. As your tap water flows through an aerator, air gets mixed into it. This allows you to enjoy water that flows more evenly and looks more controlled. But an aerator doesn’t just make your water come out of the tap smoother, it also helps manage water pressure. The water coming into your house is probably flowing with more force than you need. In response, people often install aerators to control how much water flows out at a time. That way, water doesn’t splash out of your glass suddenly or splatter around when it hits the bottom of your faucet. As long as your water clears up in 30-60 seconds, you don’t need to worry about your water’s cloudiness.
Is it Bad to Drink Water with Sediment in it?
Another potential cause of cloudy water is sediment. Particles of sand, dirt, and silt may end up in your water depending on your water source, location and a number of other conditions. This water will take far longer than a minute or two to clear up. If you think sediment is making your water cloudy or opaque, you should have your water tested. Reach out to our water treatment specialists to schedule a free, basic water test to identify a lot of water problems. If you feel that your water is contaminated with sediment, we can help get your water lab tested for more information. Once we know exactly what is in your water, we can recommend the right type of Evolve series filter that is made to handle that material.
How Does Sediment Get into Water?
Sediment gets into water because water is really good at grabbing a little bit of everything it touches. As rain falls, it lands on all different surfaces like sand, dirt, rock, buildings, roadways, animals, people, and whatever else is outside at the time. As it runs off its initial landing spot, eventually it soaks down into the layers of ground underneath the surface. It collects as groundwater in pools called aquifers taking with it a little sample of everything it touched along the way. Wells draw water up from aquifers, and this water carries particles of the ground it has passed through until it comes out of your faucet. Without any filtration, your water will still hold little particles of sediment.
Do Water Softeners Remove Sediment?
Water softeners are specifically designed to only remove hardness minerals like calcium and magnesium from water, while filters are made to handle other minerals, sediments or contaminants. A variety of filtration systems exist, some use carbon to capture contaminants while others use very fine pleated fabrics to stop particles from getting by when water passes through it. The type of filter that would work best for your home truly depends on what is causing the cloudiness in your water. The particle size and what it is made of will determine how it can be removed. Although hardness minerals are a form of sediment, a water softener cannot remove all sediment from your water.
Do Water Filters Remove Sediment?
The trouble you might find with cheap or simple water filters is that they don’t actually do a very good job keeping sediment out of your water. Generally, you get what you pay for when it comes to water filters. From paper filters to carbon block filters, there is a wide range of options out there, and some work far better than others. Pitcher filters and faucet-mounted filters can only accomplish so much, and their filter cartridges wear out quickly. Call us today as your first step to getting a whole-home water treatment system installed. The reward is saying goodbye to that embarrassing cloudy water and hello to premium filtered water, right at home.
How Do I Remove Sediment from My Water?
If you are certain sediment is in your water, there’s no reason to hesitate. Call, email, or stop by to visit us for a free water test and installation estimate! With a comprehensive water treatment system in place, not only are your sediment concerns alleviated, but you also get water that you want to drink and use every day!