With more than 30 years’ experience in the residential and commercial water treatment industry, Mark Nelson is a Class 1 Drinking-Water Operator and a CBWA (Canadian Bottled Water Association) Certified Plant Operator. As founder and president of Nelson Water in Ottawa, Mark focuses on dealing with challenging water treatment system designs for problem water. He also heads the largest water bottling plant in the city of Ottawa with a delivery network throughout the Valley.

Most Canadians recognize that oddly colored water probably represent a problem.  What problem, they many not be sure of, but if their water is rusty or brown, they usually assume it’s caused by their plumbing or perhaps iron rich water if they are on a well. However, a great many homeowners often ask what about cloudy water with white bubbles?  What’s that from? You may have experienced this when you turned on the faucet and your glass was filled with cloudy colored water and you may have wondered whether it is actually safe to drink.

So Why is My Water Cloudy?

Cloudy water is actually a very common occurrence and often you may be able to see tiny white bubbles. These bubbles are actually nothing more than oxygen and are often the result of cold outdoor temperatures creating oxygen rich water. Since water at cold temperatures will hold more oxygen than warm water, it can appear almost milky or cloudy. The cloudiness is actually due to the dissipation of oxygen from the water into the air. The bubbles eventually rise from the bottom of your glass, returning the water to completely clear. This is actually a natural phenomenon, which can also occur when the water pressure in your pipes is exceptionally high. Forcing colder water into the warm temperature of your home pushes oxygen into the water.

Other Reasons You May have Cloudy White Water 

While oxygenated water is entirely safe to drink, it is not the only underlying cause of white cloudy particles in your water.  There may actually be particles of calcium, usually present in areas where the water is hard. Although calcium is considered an essential mineral for human health, the presence of calcium in your water can have detrimental effects on your home.

Most homeowners spend a great deal of time researching their new appliance purchase. Many look not only for a competitive price, but assess the efficiency and running costs. However, if you have particularly hard water, packed with calcium deposits, you could compromise the efficiency and potential lifespan of your appliance.

Is Calcium in water Really a Problem? 

In a word… YES.  The main reason why a water supply with calcium is a problem is that hard water reduces the effectiveness of detergents and soaps. You may find that your soap does not foam up properly or detergent fails to properly dissolve in your laundry. This can leave spotting and soap deposits on clothing, while failing to remove the dirt trapped in the fabric fibers. While this can be annoying in the short run, long-term contact with hard water is serious and potentially costly. A build up of calcium in household plumbing pipes and appliances (e.g. washing machines and water heaters) can not only develop into rock hard scale which reduces water flow and compromises efficiency, but actually damage the appliance and clog up your pipes.  Think of it as cholesterol becoming plaque in your home plumbing.

It is possible however to filter the calcium out of the water supply for your home. This will not only improve the taste of your drinking water, but protect your appliances and plumbing. The most definitive way to check whether your water is oxygen rich or has calcium deposits is to fill a glass and set it aside. If the cloudiness dissipates within a minute or two, it is likely that it is simply oxygen rich. If it does not clear up, you may have excessive calcium in your water.  If you are concerned, then a simple water test from a water treatment professional can confirm the presence of minerals and contaminants.