A common concern that Brisbane plumbers run into is tap water that is cloudy or milky in colour. In a world of crystal clear drinking water, it’s a fair concern. There are several reasons tap water is cloudy, some harmless, some worrying. We’re here to clear up why your water is unclear. And, we’ll provide some tips for dealing with milky tap water.
1 – Bubbles of Air
The biggest reason for cloudy water is air bubbles. After repair works, air pockets become trapped in pipes. The air makes the water cloudy when you turn the tap on. To fix the problem, if it doesn’t pass on its own, run the garden tap for a few minutes. Otherwise, you may need to contact some Brisbane plumbers to flush the water main or install an air elimination valve. To be sure it is air in your water supply, get a glass, fill it with water, and let it sit for a few moments. If the water becomes clear, it’s most likely air bubbles.
2 – High mineral content
High mineral content, a.k.a hard water, is water with large amounts of ions, such as calcium, magnesium and iron. Hard water causes scale build-up on plumbing fixtures. To minimise scale build-up calcium carbonate should not exceed 200 mg/L. There are several ways to tell if your water is cloudy due to water hardness: mineral build up on plumbing fixtures, white marks on washed glass dishware, stiff clothing after washing, or the water remains cloudy when left in a glass. The good news is, most drinking water on the east coast of Australia is soft water. Nonetheless, if you are experiencing hard water causing cloudiness and mineral build-up, you’ll probably want if fixed. The best way to fix it is to get a filtration system installed. Contact a licensed Brisbane plumber and ask for a whole-home reverse-osmosis filtration system. The filters remove minerals, preventing cloudiness, and remove harmful chemicals and bacteria.
3 – Total suspended solids (TSS)
High concentrations of nutrients, bacteria, pesticides, or metal in the water, high TSS, can also cause tap water to appear cloudy. TSS are small solids that continue floating in the water, rather than sink to the bottom. There are several different types of solids: clay, iron, sediment, algae, etc. There is no guidance for what level of TSS is safe, but it can lead to the growth of bacteria. You can check if it is TSS making your water cloudy by running it through a standard filter. If it becomes clear after filtration, it is likely TSS. It is also probably TSS if there has recently been construction or disturbances near your water supply. To get rid of TSS a standard filter cartridge is usually enough. However, if the water is excessively cloudy it may requite a multi-level media filtration. Either way, contact your local Brisbane plumber for help.
4 – Methane gas
Although probably less-likely in Brisbane, methane is a natural gas that can often be found in well water. While it is rarer, it is also one of the more dangerous types of cloudy drinking water. If you think your might have methane in your water, get it tested by a professional ASAP! Also, while awaiting professional help, make sure you properly ventilate the area when running a dishwasher or washing machine. Once again, there are a few signs that indicate you have methane: white air bubbles in the water, you use well water, or the water sputters when running. Again, to solve this problem, get a professional to test the methane levels, and follow their advice.
Experiencing cloudy water?
If you have cloudy water and you’re still not sure what to do, or need a plumber to help, get in contact with The Brisbane Plumber. We can help you with all your plumbing needs: cloudy water, water heaters, emergency plumbing, drainage, etc. Our friendly team are on-call 24 hours a day, every day of the year. For all your general and emergency plumbing needs, call The Brisbane Plumber on 0450 932 850.