Why is my tap water a merky white colour?

Question

Yesterday I filled my drink bottle with my tap water as usual and the water looked like a merky white colour (like lemonade). I thought it was something in my drink bottle so I poured some water in a glass and it looked the same. My sister then the following morning drank some without realising it. We had no "water" warning at all its all of a sudden different. It doesn't taste different but it smells a bit like chlorine. What is up with my water tap? and is it okay to drink it even though I already have started to drink it?

Answer 1

They could possible be working on the lines (unless you are on well water) & if it were me I would call the local water municipality.

Answer 2

I was about to give an answer but I see some others have beaten me too it.

I know when they are working on  our water mains that sometimes the water does the same as you described.

Answer 3

because of high concentration of chlorine :) i often had that problem, sometimes because of the rust from within the pipes the water turned brownish in color and was undrinkable.

Answer 4

May be something dangerous, maybe not. Best thing to do would be to take a sample of it to the City Water Board (Or maybe it was someone else, I know someone in the city does testing on water).

Answer 5

I suggest to call your town borough to ask about it. They may be working on the water lines. I have heard that some towns are actually increasing chlorine levels. Tap water is too dangerous for me. We have a spring =]. If you don't trust it then buy some regular bottled water at your convenience store.

Answer 6

it might be contaminated. try boiling your water first before drinking.

Answer 7

Its oxygenated, the colour comes from loads of little bubbles.

Answer 8

To test to see if it's air bubbles trapped in the water fill a glass and let it sit for a while. If the water starts to get clear then it's just air trapped in the water and it's fine to drink. Most of the time trapped air is the cause.

Answer 9

try letting it run for a few seconds to minutes. it may be calcium build up, which isn't bad for you i don't think. try googling it!

Answer 10

I think water filters are a good idea but if you don't want to buy one just run the tap for a while. if you're concerned call the local water board