Why does my water sometimes look ‘milky’ or ‘cloudy’?
Uncolored Cloudy: Cloudy water is usually caused by tiny air bubbles in the water similar to gas bubbles in beer and pop. Because the solubility of gases increase with decreasing temperature, the cloudiness occurs more often in the winter when the drinking water is cold. Cloudiness can also be the result from operations of hydrants or flow reversals. If you notice cloudy water, fill a clean, clear glass with water from the cold tap and let it sit on the counter. If the water starts to clear from the bottom of the glass first, it is caused by air in the lines. This is probably due to air bubbles either from dissolved oxygen being released or trapped air in the plumbing. It is common since our water comes from springs supersaturated with oxygen. If you are also noticing spitting from the faucet and have had recent plumbing work, it is probably the air trapped when the water refilled the empty plumbing. This should clear as the water is used. If others in the neighborhood have a similar problem, especially where the City of Cannon Beach has been working on the main, the problem may be the result of air trapped in a main. If you have concerns, please contact the Public Works Department at (503)436-8062.
Foaming/Cloudy Water: Foaming water, especially from kitchen sinks, can be caused by dish detergent being splashed on the faucet. If your water is foaming, shake up a glass of water to form a layer of bubbles. Does the layer last when you stop shaking? Does it smell like soap? Is this coming from more than one tap? If only one tap is affected (usually the kitchen faucet with an aerator), dish washing detergent may have been splashed onto the faucet. This can be rinsed off and the problem should clear up. If it is from all the faucets, call the City Water Department. Save some of the water to show to the inspector, and refrain from drinking or cooking with the water until it is checked out. If you have concerns, please contact the Public Works Department at (503)436-8062.
Sometimes I see City workers opening fire hydrants and letting the water gush out. Aren’t they wasting water?
Periodically, the water department will flush water mains in your neighborhood to help maintain water quality and to “exercise” fire hydrant valves. Rust and grit can build up inside city water lines just like it can in the plumbing in your home. Flushing the lines helps to keep the rust from building up and clogging pipes and hydrants. Generally, the flushing occurs in late winter when the water supply is at its maximum.
What goes on inside your hot water heater?
Most people usually don’t think about their hot water heater until they run out of hot water. But during the last several years, the water treatment staff noticed an increase in the number of customer call regarding small white or gray, granular or eggshell-like particles in their water. These particles were plugging faucet aerators and shower heads and were settling out of water when poured into a glass. Other customers noticed that, in addition to the white flakes, they were having problems with water pressure and flow into their hot water supplies.
An article in the American Water Works Associations Opflow newsletter described how water utilities throughout the country were experiencing similar complaints from their customers. The story went on to explain how one water utility traced the problem of white flakes to a faulty dip tube in a customer’s hot water heater.
A dip tube is an extension of the cold water pipe inside the hot water tank. The tube directs the incoming cold water to the bottom of the tank where it is heated by the heating element. As the water is heated, it rises to the top of the water heater where it flows through the hot water outlet and into the hot water system of your home as it is needed. Most older water heaters have dip tubes made out of copper pipe, but newer models are now made with plastic dip tubes.
Several water heater manufacturers made defective dip tubes from a type of plastic that deteriorates over time. As the defective dip tube ages, the plastic softens and breaks into small pieces that eventually flow out of the water heater along with the hot water. These tiny bits of plastic clog faucets, shower heads and pipes. At some point, the dip tube may break off from the end of the cold water inlet pipe, causing the incoming cold water to dilute the hot water supply in the tank and decrease the effectiveness of the water heater.
If you own a water heater made between August 1993 and October 1996 by A.O. Smith Corporation, American Water Heater Company, Bradford White Corporation, Lochinvar Corporation, Rheem Manufacturing Company, or State Industries, Inc., you may have a defective dip tube.
Will using a home water treatment device make my water safer or healthier?
Not necessarily. Some people use home water filters to improve the taste, smell, or appearance of their tap water, but it may not make the water safer or healthier to drink.
Is bottled water safer or healthier to drink than tap water?
Not necessarily. The safety of bottled water and tap water initially depends on the source of the water. Monitoring and source protection, treatment and testing ultimately determine the quality of the finished product.