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E N V I R O N M E N T A L S E R V I C E S MY WATER LOOKS LIKE CARBONATED MILK! Customers sometimes report that their tap water looks cloudy or milky when first drawn from the faucet, and sometimes it even fizzes like seltzer. If the water is left standing in a container, the cloudiness disappears. Why is that? The cloudy water is caused by tiny air bubbles in the water that are very similar to the gas bubbles in beer and carbonated soft drinks. Cloudy water is particularly common after a water main has been installed or repaired. When the main is recharged, water rushes in and combines with the air in the pipe, which is then pressurized, trapping the air. When the customer turns on a tap, the air is released as tiny bubbles that give the water a cloudy appearance. The colder the water, the more air it can hold. Therefore, cloudy water episodes often occur in the winter, when cold temperatures combine with pressurized pipes to retain more air. Broomfield’s water supply originates in high mountain reservoirs near Granby, and is stored in Carter Lake until needed. During much of the year, the water is extremely cold and saturated with air. You can diagnose this problem by filling a clear container with cold water and letting it stand for a few minutes. If air bubbles are causing the cloudiness, the water will gradually clear from the bottom up as the bubbles rise to the top. Although the water may look milky, cloudy, or gray, the air bubbles are harmless. If maintenance work in your vicinity caused the cloudiness, it is probably temporary and will clear up by itself within a few hours. Flushing your household plumbing by turning on several cold water taps and letting them run full-force for about 10 minutes may speed up the process. If it doesn’t clear up within a day, call the Water Treatment Facility at [PHONE REDACTED], or Utility Maintenance at [PHONE REDACTED]. Utilities personnel can often flush a nearby hydrant to help clear the excess air from the lines. NOTE: If the water fails the “bottom up” test, or you notice particles or an unusual taste or odor, call the Water Treatment Facility at [PHONE REDACTED] or [PHONE REDACTED]. IS THE CLOUDINESS HARMFUL? WHEN WILL IT BE BACK TO NORMAL? Environmental Services—Environmental Laboratory 4395 West 144th Avenue, Broomfield CO 80020 WHAT CAUSES MILKY-LOOKING WATER?