Imagine your ideal glass of water. Maybe it has ice in it, or maybe a slice of lemon or lime, but regardless of the variations, it’s probably safe to say that the water in that glass is clear—not cloudy. While cloudy tap water usually clears up on its own—and is therefore rarely a cause for concern—it could be a symptom of a larger problem with your plumbing. Or it could simply be a matter of where your household’s water comes from.
If your tap water is cloudy, this means the following
To determine exactly what is causing your tap water to be cloudy, you first need to determine whether the problem is with just one specific faucet, or with all of the faucets in your home.
Cloudy water that’s limited to one faucet in your home is likely due to the aerator on the faucet, says Roy Barnes, a plumber with about 30 years of experience and co-owner of Service Force Plumbing in Rockville, Maryland. To find out, remove the aerator from the tip of the faucet (most are tightenable/lockable, but others require a small wrench) and soak it in a glass of white vinegar for about five minutes to remove mineral deposits or other contaminants. You can tackle stubborn stains with an old toothbrush. Once the aerator is clean, rinse it and replace it on the faucet. Then turn on the faucet. If the water that comes out is no longer cloudy, you’ve found the culprit.
If cloudy water is coming from more than one faucet in your home, Mark Collins, a fifth-generation plumber and CEO of 1-800-Plumber + Air, recommends filling a clear glass with water and then letting it settle.
