In Davenport, Iowa, local water utility Iowa American Water is addressing customer concerns regarding the cloudy appearance of tap water during the winter months. This cloudiness, often misinterpreted as a sign of contamination, is actually caused by the formation of tiny air bubbles in the water.
Water quality experts, including Tony Loete, the Vice President of Operations at Iowa American Water, have clarified that such cloudy or milky water poses no health risk. Loete likens this effect to the bubbles that escape from a carbonated beverage when it is opened, indicating that the phenomenon is quite natural.
Several factors contribute to the cloudy appearance. Firstly, cold water is more capable of absorbing air from the atmosphere than warm water. During winter, the Mississippi River, which supplies water to the Quad Cities District, can reach temperatures around 32.5 degrees Fahrenheit, leading to increased dissolved air content. As water travels through a building’s plumbing, it warms up, resulting in a loss of this dissolved air when it is released from the tap.
Typically, the cloudy water will become clear within a few minutes as the air bubbles rise to the surface. Customers can check this by holding a glass of the cloudy water up to a light source. If the cloudiness persists beyond a few minutes, they are encouraged to reach out to Iowa American Water’s customer service at (866) 641-2108 for further assistance.
Iowa American Water assures residents that it meets or exceeds regulatory standards set by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ensuring that the water is safe for over 227,000 residents. For those interested in further information, water quality reports and a video explaining the phenomenon of cloudy water are available on the Iowa American Water website.
Understanding the impact of cold weather on dissolved oxygen levels helps residents appreciate the quality of their drinking water during Iowa’s winter months. This knowledge fosters a sense of reassurance among consumers, emphasizing that cloudy water is a harmless and transient occurrence rather than a reason for alarm.