What is cloudy tap water? Here’s why that happens and if it’s safe

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Following a major water main break, Quebec City Mayor Bruno Marchand urged residents to conserve water in order to help maintain its quality and reduce the risks of ‘cloudy water’ episodes.

Marchand said drinking the cloudy water is not a problem — but it’s “not fun,” and “it’s not the taste we’re looking for,” according to the CBC. The break will affect water supply and quality in 12 different sectors across five boroughs, where about 175,000 people live, about about 35 per cent of Quebec City residents.

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The concerns about water quality and supply, along with the restrictions imposed on residents to maintain it, arrive just weeks after a similar crisis in Calgary.

As water quality, infrastructure and the need for conservation enter our national dialogue, here’s everything you need to know about cloudy water, including the risks, causes and whether or not it’s here to stay.

What is cloudy water?

Cloudy water — as its name suggests — refers to water that appears hazy, opaque or turbid rather than clear and transparent.

The nature of these particles and how exactly they enter our drinking supply vary depending on whether it’s from a natural water source, a municipal supply or a private well.

What causes cloudy water?

According to Aqua Cure, a UK-based water treatment company, fluctuations in water pressure, sediment buildup and hard water are all common causes of cloudy water.

Inconsistent water pressure can trap air in the water, making it appear cloudy. If there has been a change in the pressure of the water supply due to a pipe leak or local repair work, air can become trapped in the water. Air bubbles typically appear as a result.

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When a water main breaks, debris, sediment, or air may enter the water pipes. After repairs are made and the water flow resumes, these particles can be stirred up, causing the water to appear cloudy or discoloured.

According to the Ontario Water Works Association, water mains are typically designed with protective measures such as backflow prevention devices to prevent contamination. Despite proactive monitoring and risk assessment management, damages and hotspots can go undetected, as seen in Calgary.

However, according to Aqua Cure, cloudy water can also be caused by particulates in the water supply. When water passes through pipes, it can pick up sediments like dirt, sand, or rust. These particles naturally build up in municipal or home plumbing and can cause water to become cloudy.

According to Ontario Water Hardness, hard water contains large amounts of dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium. When water passes through limestone and other mineral-rich deposits, it develops a higher mineral concentration and becomes “hard.”

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Is cloudy water safe to drink?

Cloudy water can be safe to drink in some cases, but it depends on the underlying cause.

If the cloudy water is caused by trapped air, then these bubbles are not harmful — it’s more of an aesthetic problem.

If the cloudiness is due to natural sediment or minerals suspended in the water, it is generally safe to drink since these particles are typically not harmful. However, this may affect taste and appearance.

On the other hand, water cloudiness can be caused by the presence of harmful bacteria, chemicals or contaminants. In such cases, it’s recommended to avoid drinking the water until it has been tested and treated appropriately.

For this reason, cloudy water is not recommended, particularly for at-risk populations such as pregnant people.

Is cloudy water our new reality?

The 2019 Canada Infrastructure Report Card addresses recent water infrastructure failures. The report, which relies on findings from the voluntary and federally administered Canadian Core Public Infrastructure Survey (CCPIS), claims that “the state of our infrastructure is at risk, which should be cause for concern for all Canadians.”

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The report claims that 30 per cent of Canada’s water and wastewater infrastructure is in fair or worse condition.

As water infrastructure deteriorates, water pipe breaks will become increasingly common. Ultimately, the material used in those pipes will determine the health risks. In addition to environmental concerns caused by a water main break, a large number of Canada’s water infrastructure relies on asbestos cement and lead water pipes

On June 5, the day after Calgary’s water main break, which caused the city to enter a similar state of emergency, federal Green Party co-leader Elizabeth May and Canadian NGO Prevent Cancer Now held a news conference on Parliament Hill to talk about water mains.

May expressed concerns about asbestos cement water mains — and the hazards associated with swallowing asbestos released from these aging pipes.

On June 6, the Investigative Journalism Bureau (IJB) reported on the ongoing lead contamination of drinking water in Ontario schools due to lead pipes. More than 2,300 schools across Ontario had lead level test results that exceeded federal safety guidelines in the past four years, according to the IJB.

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“As infrastructure ages, Canada is experiencing increasingly frequent water main breaks, costing local governments millions in emergency repairs,” wrote Meg Sears, Chair of Prevent Cancer Now, in the National Observer last week.

“There is really a single solution to water pollution from pipes — remove the source of lead or asbestos. We must replace this decaying infrastructure, as it only worsens with age,” she said

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