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, 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. Usually, the water looks dirty for a short time and you shouldn’t 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 doesn’t, call your utility.

There are a number of ways that clear water can become discolored. Usually, the color of the water gives some clue as to what’s going on. The following are the most common reasons that water goes from clear to colored and some suggestions that might help get rid of the problem.

Rust can turn water orange, red, brown or yellow. Rust gets into the water from two places—your water utility’s pipes or your own plumbing.

If you do have rusty water for a while, don’t do laundry because it can stain clothes. Also, don’t use hot water or you might draw the rusty water into your hot water heater and then you’ll need to flush it out later.

Algae, which are plants that live in water, make water green. Algae get into open-air reservoirs that store large amounts of our drinking water. Sometimes algae aren’t controlled by the usual treatment. This happens most often in the warmer months when the sun heats up the water and grows food for the algae.

Also, very heavily corroded copper plumbing can sometimes turn water a greenish-blue color. This can happen if your electrical system is grounded to your water pipes. Even keeping your water heater at too high of a temperature can cause a green color.

The only time your water should look really blue is in a toilet where you use a blue-colored bowl cleaner.

You may be able to get rid of some of the problems with colored water yourself or with the help of a plumber if the problem is with your plumbing or hot water heater. Otherwise you will need to speak with your water utility.

Here are some simple questions that may tell you whether the problem is on your end or not:

Is the water colored when you first turn on the tap in the morning or after not using it for a while?

• Does the water run clear after a few minutes?
• Are only some of your taps affected?
• Are you the only one in the neighborhood with the problem?
• Is it only the hot water that is colored?

If you answered yes to any of the first four questions, then the problem is probably with your plumbing. If you answered yes to the last question, the problem is probably with your water heater. In either case, you should call a plumber.

If you answered no to these questions, then you should call your water utility.

Here’s another way to find out if the colored water is related to a plumbing problem on your property or your water heater. Check your water by filling a large white bowl or bucket with water from the hose bib or faucet closest to your water meter. Let the water run for two full minutes and then fill the bucket or bowl with water.

If it is clear, then the problem is most likely related to the inside plumbing or water heater. If not, you should contact your utility because the problem may be in their water pipes.

Why does my water
sometimes taste
or smell funny?

When your water tastes or smells funny, the problem might be in the water or it may not! You see, odors may actually be coming from your sink drain where bacteria grow on hair, soap, food and other things that get trapped. Gases in the drain that smell get stirred up when water pours into the pipe. Odor can also come from bacteria growing in water heaters—usually ones that have been turned off for a while or have the thermostat set too low.

The list below tells where many odd tastes and smells come from and how to get rid of them.

Chlorine is added to tap water to make sure that any harmful germs in the water are killed. When you can taste or smell a bit of chlorine, your water has been properly treated. There are regulations that limit the amount of chlorine added to tap water so that it keeps the water safe to drink.

An easy way to get rid of the chlorine taste and smell is to let water sit in a glass for a few minutes. Then, put the water in a covered container and chill it in the refrigerator. Cold water tastes and smells better than water at room temperature.

Algae, which are plants that live in rivers, lakes, reservoirs and other bodies of water, naturally make substances that can give your water an earthy or musty smell. Another reason your water may seem to have this smell is because of bacteria that can grow in your drain when things like hair, soap and food get trapped.

This smell can occur when the source of the water is underground. The smell is from a chemical made by a bacteria and is not harmful in the small amounts found in water. The same smell can also be made by bacteria that grow on hair, soap and food in your drain.

Since some smells in tap water may be because of problems with your sink drain or water heater, there may be things you can do.

To find out if the smell is coming from your sink drain or water heater, rather than the water itself, answer the following questions.

• Does the smell come from only some of your faucets?
• Does the smell go away after running the water for a few minutes?

If the answer is no — the smell comes from all the faucets and it doesn’t go away in a few minutes, then the problem is likely in the water. To be sure, take a clean glass of water and go to the hose bib at the front of your property. Open it to its fullest, and run it for two minutes. Make sure that you disconnect any hoses before running the water. After that, fill the glass straight from the tap and smell it.

If the odor is really strong, you should contact your water utility. If the water is better at the front faucet than at the faucets inside your property, you should flush your plumbing system by running all the faucets for a few minutes.

Why does my water
leave spots on my
glasses, coffeepot,
and showerhead?

There are minerals in water that are white and settle when water is heated, cooled, or evaporates. The spots contain nothing harmful. Filling your coffeepot with vinegar and letting it sit overnight, usually removes the spots. Make sure to rinse well before using. You can also clean your showerhead by soaking it in a vinegar-filled bowl. There are some store products you can use to avoid spotting when glasses are washed and allowed to air dry.