A Water Quality Message for Iowa American Water Customers
Dateline City:
DAVENPORT, Iowa
Water Company explains “cloudy” water
It’s that time of the year when Iowa American Water experiences one of
its most common customer inquiries, “Why does my tap water
sometimes appear cloudy or milky looking?” Iowa American’s water
quality professionals are quick to explain that cloudy or milky-looking
water is not a health concern. Tiny air bubbles in the water can create
a cloudy or milky appearance as the water is released from the tap.
“Cloudy or milky-looking” water, caused by dissolved air (oxygen), is
not a health problem. The phenomenon of cloudy water from the tap is
similar to bubbles being released from a carbonated beverage when the
cap is removed and pressure released,” said Mary Jane Midgett, director
of operations for Iowa American Water. She adds that Iowa American Water
provides its customers with water that meets or surpasses all Iowa
Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Safe Drinking Water Act regulations. There are no water quality
regulations pertaining to dissolved oxygen in water because it does not
present a health risk to people.
Dissolved oxygen in water is most evident during winter months when the
water temperature is the coldest. Cold water absorbs more air out of the
atmosphere than warm water. During the winter months, the temperature of
the Mississippi River, Iowa American Water’s source of supply in its
Quad Cities District, drops as low as 32.5 degrees. The water
temperature does not increase significantly, as it passes through the
water treatment process, and the network of underground water mains,
known as the distribution system. Since the water temperature remains
cold as it travels from the treatment plant to the customer, it remains
saturated with dissolved oxygen until it enters the customer’s home or
business.
When that cold water enters the internal plumbing system of a home or
building, it warms up to room temperature during extended periods of
non-use or overnight. This warmer water physically cannot hold as much
dissolved air, but because the water is under pressure within the
plumbing system’s pipes, the excess dissolved air cannot escape until
the water flows from the faucet. The result is cloudy water when the
faucet is initially turned on. Hot water from the water heater is
typically cloudier than cold water.
“Customers can observe dissolved air (oxygen) escaping from a glass of
water by holding the cloudy water up to a bright light or sunlit window
and watching the water clear from the bottom of the glass up as the tiny
air bubbles rise to the surface. The glass of water should clear in a
minute or two,” Midgett adds. If the cloudy/milky water does not clear
up within a few minutes, please call Iowa American Water toll-free at
1-866-641-2108.
Customers with questions or concerns about their water quality should
contact Iowa American’s water quality experts or visit the company’s web
site at
www.iowaamwater.com
for general company information or a copy of the company’s latest
water quality report.
About Iowa American Water
Iowa American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the
largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high
quality and reliable water services to approximately 212,000 people.
With a history dating back to 1886, American Water is the largest and
most geographically diverse U.S. publicly traded water and wastewater
utility company. The company employs more than 6,700 dedicated
professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water,
wastewater and other related services to an estimated 15 million people
in 47 states and Ontario, Canada. More information can be found by
visiting www.amwater.com.
Language:
English
Contact:
Lisa Reisen
Manager, External Affairs
Lisa.Reisen@amwater.com
563-468-9221
Ticker Slug:
Ticker: AWK Exchange: NYSE
Water Company explains “cloudy” water
It’s that time of the year when Iowa American Water experiences one of its most common customer inquiries, “Why does my tap water sometimes appear cloudy or milky looking?” Iowa American’s water quality professionals are quick to explain that cloudy or milky-looking water is not a health concern. Tiny air bubbles in the water can create a cloudy or milky appearance as the water is released from the tap.
“Cloudy or milky-looking” water, caused by dissolved air (oxygen), is not a health problem. The phenomenon of cloudy water from the tap is similar to bubbles being released from a carbonated beverage when the cap is removed and pressure released,” said Mary Jane Midgett, director of operations for Iowa American Water. She adds that Iowa American Water provides its customers with water that meets or surpasses all Iowa Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Safe Drinking Water Act regulations. There are no water quality regulations pertaining to dissolved oxygen in water because it does not present a health risk to people.
Dissolved oxygen in water is most evident during winter months when the water temperature is the coldest. Cold water absorbs more air out of the atmosphere than warm water. During the winter months, the temperature of the Mississippi River, Iowa American Water’s source of supply in its Quad Cities District, drops as low as 32.5 degrees. The water temperature does not increase significantly, as it passes through the water treatment process, and the network of underground water mains, known as the distribution system. Since the water temperature remains cold as it travels from the treatment plant to the customer, it remains saturated with dissolved oxygen until it enters the customer’s home or business.
When that cold water enters the internal plumbing system of a home or building, it warms up to room temperature during extended periods of non-use or overnight. This warmer water physically cannot hold as much dissolved air, but because the water is under pressure within the plumbing system’s pipes, the excess dissolved air cannot escape until the water flows from the faucet. The result is cloudy water when the faucet is initially turned on. Hot water from the water heater is typically cloudier than cold water.
“Customers can observe dissolved air (oxygen) escaping from a glass of water by holding the cloudy water up to a bright light or sunlit window and watching the water clear from the bottom of the glass up as the tiny air bubbles rise to the surface. The glass of water should clear in a minute or two,” Midgett adds. If the cloudy/milky water does not clear up within a few minutes, please call Iowa American Water toll-free at 1-866-641-2108.
Customers with questions or concerns about their water quality should contact Iowa American’s water quality experts or visit the company’s web site at www.iowaamwater.com for general company information or a copy of the company’s latest water quality report.
About Iowa American Water
Iowa American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high quality and reliable water services to approximately 212,000 people. With a history dating back to 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse U.S. publicly traded water and wastewater utility company. The company employs more than 6,700 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 15 million people in 47 states and Ontario, Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.
Lisa Reisen
Manager, External Affairs
Lisa.Reisen@amwater.com
563-468-9221