Cloudy or milky water appearing from a tap is often due to dissolved air. This phenomenon occurs when water pressure changes, such as after it travels through pipes from a treatment facility to a residence. Much like carbon dioxide bubbles forming when a soda bottle is opened, air comes out of solution when the pressure is reduced. The tiny air bubbles scatter light, giving the water a cloudy appearance.
The presence of air bubbles in potable water is generally harmless and poses no health risk. The issue is primarily aesthetic. Historically, concerns about water clarity have often been linked to broader anxieties about water quality and potential contaminants. While cloudiness can sometimes be a symptom of other problems, air bubbles are a relatively common and benign occurrence.
