White or cloudy water is caused by air and appears as a haze of tiny bubbles. If a glass of cloudy water is allowed to stand for a few minutes, the water will clear from the bottom upwards as the air bubbles rise to the surface.
Is it safe?
Cloudy water, does not pose a risk to health. However, you may wish to allow the bubbles to settle out before using the water to mix with cordials or other drink flavourings simply because as the air leaves the water it can generate a stable foam, which may look unpleasant. Keeping a jug of water in the fridge will allow it to clear, and many customers prefer the taste of chilled water. The water should not however be kept for more than 24 hours.
What are the causes of white water?
White water can occur as a result of disturbances in the water distribution system, for example when air enters the network from a burst main. White water does not pose a risk to public health. If the problem has arisen due to a disturbance in the water distribution system, the water will remain cloudy even if taps are run for long periods of time. In these circumstances, the cloudy water will typically last for a few days.
My water is often cloudy - what is the cause of this?
The majority of long-term cloudy water problems are linked to the internal plumbing of the property. This can be confirmed if:
- The water clears after running the tap for a few minutes, but becomes cloudy again when the water has not been used for a period of time.
- The cold water supply runs slightly warm for a few seconds before becoming cold.
Both checks demonstrate that cold water pipes are being heated somewhere in the property. The most common cause is the hot water pipework running either underneath, or in close proximity to the cold water supply pipe. The problem can be solved by insulating or lagging the hot pipe.
Why does heated cold water go cloudy?
Colder water enables more air to dissolve into it naturally. As water becomes warmer, less air can remain dissolved and it comes out of the water as tiny white bubbles.
The problem is far more prevalent during the winter months for two reasons:
- The ground is much colder and hence so is the water supply, so the natural background level of air dissolved in the water is much higher.
- We all tend to run heating systems for longer and at higher temperatures, hence hot water pipes are much hotter and warm the cold water more.
If you require further information please view our white and cloudy water information leaflet or contact us.