During this time of year, when cold weather still lingers, water that comes out of your tap can sometimes appear “cloudy.” No need to worry over the quality and safety of your drinking water – in many cases, cloudiness is the result of simple water chemistry!

Ready for a little science lesson? It all comes down to pressure and water temperature.

Since colder water can hold more air than warmer water, what you’re really seeing is an excess of harmless, trapped air.

Furthermore, the water that comes out of our faucets is under pressure, meaning it can also hold onto excess air. If it’s chilly outside, the effect can be compounded as air bubbles become trapped among cold-water molecules.

If you open your tap to find some cloudiness, just let the water settle for a minute or two. It should go back to being crystal clear shortly!

You can find many more helpful tips, including seasonal advice about protecting your pipes and winter water main breaks, on our Tips, Maintenance, and Prevention webpage.