To drink, or not to drink tap water? That is the question. If this thought has ever crossed your mind, you’re not alone. You care about the quality and safety of your tap water, and so do we. We aim to reassure you that our tap water is of the highest quality standards, both EPA approved and tested thousands of times per year. So, to answer the initial Shakespearean question posed, tap water is completely safe to drink.
Although the aesthetic appearance of tap water may cause a few questions, the above statement reigns true. You know the old phrase, what you see is what you get? This phrase doesn’t apply to the world of tap water. Some people are concerned when their tap water has a cloudy appearance, a unique smell or visible bubbles. None of these indicate tap water is unsafe to drink. In this blog, we are going to tackle misconceptions about tap water taste and aesthetics and explain why visible traits of tap water are not an accurate measure of the quality that is in your cup. With that, let’s tap into the truth.
Is it okay to drink tap water with a cloudy appearance?
Yes, drinking water with a cloudy appearance is completely okay. Most often, aeration is the reason tap water may have an initial cloudy appearance. Air can get trapped in pipes and escape as oxygen bubbles in tap water. These air bubbles are not harmful, and the cloudiness should settle after a while.
Turbidity is another factor that causes cloudiness in water appearance. The higher number of small particles present in your tap water, the hazier it will appear. The turbidity of your water has no health effects, so you’re safe to drink it if it’s cloudy or clear.
What is hard water?
Hard water is water that has a high mineral content. The higher the concentration of dissolved calcium and magnesium, the harder your water is. Hard water is not a health risk. In fact, the calcium and magnesium in hard water can contribute positively to your overall mineral intake.
On the other hand, soft water, being low in mineral content, is not a risk to your health either. Whether your water is hard or soft, it is safe to drink. Curious to know if your water at home is hard or soft? Add some dish soap to a container with water and shake it. If the solution produces a lot of suds, you have soft water. If it doesn’t, you have hard water.
Why does my water have an odor?
Occasionally, drinking water has a noticeable odor. Let’s dive into what the odors are and where they come from.
- Chlorinous odor: During the treatment process, chlorine is added to water as a disinfectant. This may cause drinking water to have a chlorinous or medicinal odor.
- Earthy odor: Earthy or musty smells are often a result of algae growth in the untreated water supply. While the water has been treated and purified, the earthy smell may persist.
- Sulfur odor: A sulfur smell occurs when there’s a lack of oxygen in reservoirs, lakes and wells. That water is collected, treated, and tested for water quality safety, however the sulfur smell may linger.
- Salty odor: When California experiences a drought, salinity levels typically increase. This may result in a slightly salty taste in your tap water.
Are visible bubbles in tap water normal?
Don’t be alarmed if you see bubbles in your tap water. This is usually caused by air that’s dissolved in the water and released when the faucet is opened. There are two main reasons why bubbles appear in tap water: temperature and pressure. Cold water moving through the plumbing system causes turbulence that releases air and forms bubbles. Or, if water in the pipes is under pressure, the dissolved gases can come out as bubbles into the glass. This does not make it unsafe to drink.
Tested, clean and safe to drink
We hope this blog helped clarify some of the misconceptions around the taste and appearance of tap water. We’re committed to ensuring that the water we deliver is clean, refreshing and of the highest quality.
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