Why is my water cloudy and what does it mean to have “air in the line”?

The water in the pipes coming into your home or business is under pressure, so gasses (the air) are dissolved and trapped in the pressurized water as it flows into your glass. Occasionally, tiny air bubbles form, causing the water to look cloudy. As the air bubbles rise in the glass, they break free at the surface, thus clearing up the water. Although the milky appearance might be disconcerting, the air bubbles won’t affect the quality or taste of the water. 

If you see that your water has a cloudy appearance, let the water stand for a few minutes. If the cloudy appearance dissipates, it is simply tiny air bubbles in the water which have now escaped back to the atmosphere. Running the tap for a few minutes should remove the air. If a residue accumulates at the bottom of the glass, there may be sediment in the line. Occasionally, routine cleaning of pipes can stir up the material that has accumulated at the bottom of the pipe. This may also be removed by running the largest faucet for several minutes. If you have sediment in the line and running the tap does not resolve the problem, please contact the FKAA’s Water Quality Division at 305-295-2146.

Show All Answers

1. I moved into a new home and I am not sure about the building’s plumbing. Is there a way I can tell if the water quality at my faucet is as high-quality as the water provided by the FKAA to the meter?
2. Why is my water cloudy and what does it mean to have “air in the line”?
3. What makes ice cubes cloudy?
4. What are the drinking water standards?
5. How long can I store drinking water?
6. How often is my water tested?
7. Is it safe to drink from my garden hose?
8. What is the difference between precautionary and mandatory boil water notices?