Why does my water sometimes look dirty, cloudy or have a funny color?
From the time your drinking water is purified at a treatment plant until it pours from your tap, there are a lot of chances for it to pick up things that can change the way it looks. Sometimes this happens as close as your home’s own plumbing. Water is cloudy when air gets in and makes tiny bubbles. The bubbles are harmless and will disappear if you let the water sit in a glass for a few minutes.


Usually when water looks dirty or has a funny color, it’s because of changes in the way that the water delivery system is being operated. When the direction that water flows in the pipe is changed—for maintenance work on a water main, when a fire hydrant is broken in a car accident, or there is a break in a water main— materials at the bottom of the pipes get stirred up. Often, the water only looks dirty for a short time. You should not drink it until it looks clear. One way to speed the dirty water out of your own pipes is to run all of your faucets for a few minutes. If the water is still not clear, then do the same thing again every half hour or so. The problem should go away within two to four hours. If it does not, call the Water Quality Technician at (909) 364-2808.

Show All Answers

1. How much water is used in the City of Chino Hills daily?
2. What are the major components of the water distribution system?
3. Does the City utilize recycled water?
4. What makes ice cloudy?
5. Is my water safe to drink?
6. Is my drinking water completely free of microbes?
7. Are all chemicals in my drinking water bad for me?
8. Why does my water have nitrates, and where do nitrates come from?
9. How much lead and copper does my water have?
10. Is fluoride in my drinking water safe?
11. Is water with chlorine safe to drink?
12. How much chlorine do I have in my water?
13. Should I buy bottled water?
14. How can I find out what is in my water?
15. Who is making sure that my water is safe and healthy to drink?
16. What is done to purify the water before it comes out of the tap?
17. Why does my water sometimes look dirty, cloudy or have a funny color?
18. Why does my water sometimes taste or smell funny and is it safe to drink?
19. Why does my water leave spots on my glasses, coffeepot and showerhead?
20. Do I need to purchase a home treatment device to make my tap water safe?
21. Should I boil my water?
22. Do I need a water softener?
23. Can pregnant women drink tap water?
24. Can people with HIV/AIDS or weakened immune systems drink tap water?
25. How do I treat water during an emergency?
26. Who should I call if I have a problem with my tap water?