What Causes Cloudy Well Water?

Sediment, air bubbles, and hardness can produce cloudy well water. So, how does this happen in a well and what can you to fix and prevent the issue?

Cloudy Well Water Causes

Noticeable cloudiness should always make you question the current quality of your well water. Because wells are not protected by municipal water treatment solutions, this means both identifying the issue and fixing it is the responsibility of the homeowner.

Fortunately, cloudy tap water doesn’t always point to a significant problem. The following causes detailed below are most likely responsible for cloudiness in the water.

Sediment

Sometimes referred to as “suspended particles or solids”, sedimentation could be causing your water to be cloudy. If any type of sediment finds its way into your well, then it’s likely in your drinking glass, as well.

Water can travel quite a long distance before getting to your well. Along the way, it can pick up all sorts of dissolved minerals, sand, clay, and more. While some of these materials may cause no issues at all, suspended particles can potentially cause cloudy water and trap additional contaminants.

Solution: One of the best ways to manage sediment levels is by investing in a well water filtration system. These systems can trap and reduce any tiny, suspended solids that may be making your drinking water cloudy.

Air Bubbles

When water travels through piping to get from your well to the trap, it will be under a certain amount of pressure. This causes any dissolved, trapped air to rise to the surface in the form of bubbles. Eventually, this can cause cloudiness or even a “milky” look that can fade over time.

This is quite a common problem with well water when there’s been a change in water pressure. When air bubbles form out of your well, it’s time to inspect your own water systems to identify the problem.

Solution: This problem warrants consideration to call a professional plumbing service. Doing so will ensure your pipes are working properly and your water is safe to drink.

Hard Water

Typically, an air bubble issue will clear up after a few minutes. If the water remains cloudy for a substantial amount of time then it may be due to overall hardness of the water. Hard water is caused by a few certain dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium. Over time, these minerals can build up within a water system.

A buildup of these minerals can produce consistent cloudy water. Unfortunately, hard water will not resolve itself. These minerals can cause the following issues:

• Reduced soap lather.
• Dry hair and skin.
• Stiff laundry.
• Soap scum.
• Spotty dishes.

Solution: The installation of a well water softener can trap and flush out these hard minerals through a system of resin beads and brine water. The softener can address cloudiness and other common issues, as well. Some systems even have smart features, giving homeowners more control of their well water.

Cloudy Well Water Solutions

Most people will treat well water to remove germs or chemicals, take extra precautions against potential diseases, and ultimately improve the taste of water. Here are a few ways below to test your well water to ensure it’s safe to drink.

Home Water Treatment Systems

It’s worth considering investing in a home water treatment system in order to remove germs or chemicals from your well water. These systems typically treat the water by filtering it, disinfecting it, or distilling it. No single treatment type can protect against each and every issue.

When investing in a home water treatment system, make sure to check that the system will be able to remove either the type of germ or chemical you are concerned about.

Emergency Situations

Whenever the well water is contaminated, you must treat it, then test it again before drinking. In the event that you have no access to other water sources, always boil the well water prior to drinking it. Boiling water can kill germs.

Always follow boil water advisory guidelines to reduce your chance of becoming ill from consumption. If your water is contaminated with chemicals, never drink or use the water for any purpose. Drinking or even having any contact with contaminated water can be very dangerous. Boiling the water will not remove chemicals.