Why does tap water sometimes look milky white or appear to have air bubbles?

This may occur infrequently during the time of year when the water coming into the house is colder than the temperature inside the house. Cold water holds more oxygen than warm water does, consequently when the cold water from the water mains outside comes inside our warm homes, and the water begins to warm, the oxygen has to escape.

It does so by bubbling out in air bubbles which makes the water look milky. A visual example of this is to run water into a clear container and observe for a short time. If the water clears from the bottom to the top of the container then the phenomenon described is occurring. The air bubbles are moving from the bottom to the top of the container to escape into the open atmosphere.

Show All Answers

1. Is the water fluoridated?
2. How hard is our water?
3. I sometimes get a pink stain on my bathroom fixtures, in my pet’s water bowl or on other surfaces. Sometimes, the growth grows from my faucet screen. What is it and how do I get rid of it?
4. Why are my faucet strainers and other plumbing fixtures clogging with white particles?
5. Why does my humidifier water grow slimy over time?
6. Why does my water smell like sulfur?
7. Why does tap water sometimes look milky white or appear to have air bubbles?
8. Why does my water taste like plastic?
9. Why is there a musty odor at my faucet?
10. Why is my water is cloudy after the Water Department flushes hydrants in my neighborhood?
11. Why do the drains in my house smell?