Cloudy Water

Water may become cloudy, milky, or white due to an excessive amount of trapped pressurized air in a home’s water pipes or main supply. When water comes out of the tap, the water is no longer under pressure. The air is seen as bubbles, giving the water a cloudy appearance. Cold water holds more air than warm water, so a customer may be more likely to experience cloudy water in the winter months.

What Should I Do?

If your water is white, milky, or cloudy, fill a glass with water and leave it to stand for a few minutes. If the cloudiness clears from the bottom of the glass upwards, this suggests the cause of the cloudy appearance is air. Cloudy water is harmless and can be used for drinking, bathing, and cleaning. If the water does not clear, contact the Public Utilities Department at (706)-613-3481. 

Chlorine Smell

Sodium hypochlorite, which is chlorine in its liquid form, is a common disinfectant added to the water distribution system to kill bacteria, viruses, and protozoans. The Public Utilities Department (PUD) maintains the chlorine in the distribution system from 0.2 to 2.5 mg/l. For comparison, household bleach is 50,000 mg/l chlorine. 

What Causes The Smell?

The EPA requires a low level of chlorine, referred to as a residual, must remain in the water as it travels through the distribution system.  A noticeable smell will be present if the residual exceeds 1mg/l, though some people can have greater sensitivity to the taste or smell.  

A chlorine smell may be present for several reasons.  If water must travel a distance, additional chlorine may be necessary to maintain water safety along the pipeline.  Warmer weather can cause the residual to dissipate more quickly and require the PUD to raise the chlorine level accordingly.  The PUD keeps the chlorine levels as low as possible while maintaining water quality.