Why Does My Water Look White?

White water can result from excessive air trapped in your local plumbing or mains water supply. This leads to a build-up of pressure, forming air bubbles in your water that release when the tap runs. The trapped air dissolves in the water, but when you run a tap, built-up pressure releases and air bubbles form, which give your water its white appearance. This is called aeration and does not make your drinking water unsafe. If your water does appear to run white, it should clear after a short while. White water can also be a sign of a high level of chlorine in your water, which water companies often use to disinfect drinking water supplies.

What Causes My Water To Look White?

Your water supply might contain fine white sediment that forms when chalk deposits rise from the natural minerals found in your surrounding area. These impurities can come from many places, including reservoirs or pipes. The presence of sediment is mostly harmless, but it can create a disconcerting milky colour.

You can differentiate between air bubbles and sedimentary contamination by filling a glass with water and letting it settle for a few minutes. If the water appears white due to air bubbles, the bubbles will quickly rise to the top. If the water remains white, it could indicate your water has been contaminated by impurities such as rocks, stones, sand or dirt.

Is White Water Safe To Drink or Use?

White, cloudy or milky water is perfectly safe to drink or use and is not harmful.

What Should You Do?

Firstly, check with neighbours to find out if the problem affects just your property. If your neighbours are also experiencing white water from their taps, it’s likely the problem isn’t localised but stems from your mains water supply. In this case, contact your water supplier to report the issue.

If your neighbour’s water is running clear, it is useful to find out whether you require professional assistance. To test this, fill a glass with water and leave it to settle for a few minutes. If the whiteness doesn’t dissipate contact a certified plumber or your water supplier to inform them of the issue.

If a certified plumber or your water supplier confirms your water supply suffers from some level of contamination, a carbon filter can remove the particles.

What Product Can Help?

How to improve your drinking water quality

There are over 330 human-made contaminants in the UK water supply. As such, it’s vital to get your water tested, or find alternatives to tap water if you suspect that your water quality poses a threat to your health. You can use a filtered water cooler in the workplace to remove the majority of contaminants — including sediment, heavy metals, pesticides, and other toxins — to keep your workforce healthy. While Waterlogic’s range of purification technologies means each of our water dispensers is just as effective whether used in warehouses, healthcare facilities, universities, or hospitality venues.

If you’re looking to deliver fresh, clean water to your workplace, take a look at our product line or request a quote.