If you use a well to supply water at your home and have grown accustomed to the fairly clear sight of the well water, then it is needless to say that you might be concerned if it turns out to be cloudy or whitish in appearance.
Although the majority of reasons behind well water cloudiness are harmless, some may pose health risks that must be addressed.
Let’s dive deeper into this guide to discern Quick Answers That You Should Know.
Quick Questions:
- What does it mean when well water is cloudy?
- Why is my well water cloudy?
- Is it safe to drink cloudy water?
- Can cloudy water make you sick?
- Can you shower with cloudy water?
What does it mean when well water is cloudy?
Cloudy water, often called milky water, is made by tiny bubbles inside the water. It is risk-free.
It frequently occurs when it’s cold outside. The particular reason for the circumstances is that the rise in water pressure and drop in water temperature is directly proportional to the solubility of air in water. The air content of cold water is higher than the air content of warm water.
Why is my well water cloudy?
Two underlying causes of cloudy well water are discussed below. Read on.
1. High Water Sedimentation-
Milky well water is likewise an indication of higher levels of debris deposited in the water.
For assessing surplus sedimentation, follow these steps.
- Step 1- Take a glass full of cloudy well water and then set it aside for an hour at least.
- Step 2- In the due course, when you see that the water has cleared up, inspect the base of the container.
- Step 3- If you then see minute particles assembled at the bottom, too much sedimentation might be the cause of cloudiness in your well water.
Water generally contains a reasonable amount of dirt particles and rust which is nothing to be concerned about.
There are primarily three reasons for a sudden increase in sediment levels. One, due to surface water leakages. Two, nearby drilling might contaminate the well’s water at the subsurface level and three, a malfunction might have occurred in your well’s water filtering mechanism.
In case you feel that the level of sediments has surged, get a well specialist to inspect the filtering system.
2. Excessive Thundershower-
Did the cloudiness occur unexpectedly after a heavy downpour?
This might indicate that surface water is seeping into your well.
Excess run-off water is another major source of cloudy well water. Following severe rainfall, this is likely to happen.
Rainwater can never be absorbed into the ground within seconds. Whenever the ground is completely damp, the water gathers up again. Surface water might seep into your system if your wellhead is not sealed tightly. Hence, the outcome would be cloudy water reaching all your taps along with germs, bacteria, and other contaminants.
3. High Mineral Content In The Water-
Does your well water taste metallic besides looking cloudy?
It is because of the high mineral content like iron and manganese in the subsurface water.
Usually, drilling in a nearby area might unsettle the ground which would allow these minerals to infiltrate your well water.
The presence of these iron minerals may have slight health benefits but they do stain your utensils and give your appliances a rustic appearance. Moreover, it gets difficult to clean your clothes with water high in minerals.
To rectify this, you can either install a specific filter to eliminate extra iron or have a chemical water treatment to eliminate extra manganese.
Is it safe to drink cloudy water?
Even if your well water is cloudy, it might be considered safe for drinking but again, it might not. As it completely depends on what has caused the water to turn out cloudy or milky.
The presence of air bubbles also causes water to appear whitish but it does not pose any health risks. However, if the water turned out to be cloudy because of some harmful pathogens or chemicals, it should not be taken.
If you can make out what has caused your well water to appear cloudy, then you might also figure out if it’s safe to drink or not by going through the section of underlying causes that I mentioned above.
Can cloudy water make you sick?
Potable water should preferably be clear with no foreign smell or fishy taste.
While cloudy water is not always harmful to your health, it may confirm the existence of harmful microorganisms and chemicals.
The best way to tell what’s in your water is to have it professionally tested and get it treated as soon as possible.
Can you shower with cloudy water?
Ordinarily, cloudy tap water isn’t a reason to be alarmed. However, in some cases, you might have to invest more energy and capital to sort out what’s the reason behind your water’s cloudiness.
Be that as it may, you don’t need to avoid bathing as cloudy water is generally considered safe for this purpose.
How do I fix my cloudy well water?
To check if the milky look is caused by air bubbles, you may perform a quick test.
- Step 1- Fill a jar halfway with chilled water.
- Step 2- Now, watch whether it clears from below to upwards.
If so, it implies that the cloudiness is caused by trapped air and the water is perfectly drinkable.
Whereas if it fails to do so, and the cloudy water is harming all of your tubs, while not having any effect on the other residents of your neighborhood then you need a professional to test your water and provide a solution.
In general terms, a decent water filtration system along with a drinking water system and a water softener can surely assist in eliminating cloudiness and hazardous microbes or impurities.
Conclusion:
To sum up, everything that has been stated so far- Cloudy water, often known as white water, is created by air bubbles in most cases.
While cloudy water is not necessarily bad for you, it might indicate the presence of hazardous microbes and pollutants.
The majority of reasons behind well water cloudiness are safe, yet, some may pose serious health risks that must be dealt with.
Nevertheless, you don’t need to refrain from drinking or bathing in cloudy water, as it is commonly considered safe for the said purpose.
Likewise, if a glass test reveals that the cloudiness is not due to trapped air but rather to something else, then you should seek professional assistance.
To recognize and resolve the issue causing cloudy well water, contact us right away or drop your queries in the comment box. We’ll be happy to help you!
