Did you notice that there is white water coming out of the tap in your house? Calm down, there is no reason to panic, nor the need to see a doctor if you have taken a sip by mistake, for example. This whitish color does not mean that the water quality is impaired.
Some say that tap water turns white when there is excess chlorine, but that is not what happens. In this post, we'll explain more about the reasons why the water ends up with this color. Stay with us and check it out!
Know the causes of white tap water
The main cause of the water coming out white from the tap is not the excessive amount of chlorine , but the pressure exerted on the liquid in the supply company's pipes.
This happens because, when the supply is interrupted for any reason, such as preventive maintenance, for example, the pipes can fill with air. When the service is provided again, the air present in the pipes is dissolved in the water, making it turn whiter.
Importantly, you can consume this white water without any problem. After all, it is just air microbubbles, not chlorine or any other substance that, if consumed in excess, can be harmful.
If, even so, you prefer to avoid drinking water under these conditions, we have a tip for an experiment that can be carried sewage treatment plant in bangladesh out: fill a glass with white water and leave it standing. After a few minutes you will notice that the water will turn transparent. This is because the air will be released into the environment so that the liquid will revert to being colorless.
Understand how water is supplied to homes
The treatment of water that reaches homes is carried out in stages, following the so-called treatment circuit. Understand the step-by-step with the most common steps in this process:
abstraction: in this stage the water is collected in the springs ;
adduction: pumps take the water collected to the treatment station (ETA);
coagulation: aluminum sulphate is added to the water so that impurities join together;
flocculation: water is stirred so that impurities form larger blocks;
decantation: water is stored in tanks so that the impurity blocks sink;
filtration: water passes through filters to remove remaining impurities;
disinfection: in this step, chlorine and fluorine are added to the water, in addition to controlling the pH;
storage : drinking water is stored in reservoirs.
Once the water goes to the reservoirs, it is ready to enter the distribution network. For this, pressure points are defined, at which pumps and valves are installed. These equipments have the function of pumping and controlling the flow of water, so that it reaches the taps in the houses.
An important fact to mention is that chlorine is used in water in order to ensure that it is free of pathogenic microorganisms. This is a necessary step for drinking water to reach people's homes, preventing contamination and the spread of disease .
Also, the chlorine that is added to the water treatment is actually a sodium hypochlorite solution. This substance is also known as “liquid chlorine”. This component is colorless, that is, it is not possible for it to leave white water .
See when to worry about running out of tap water
According to a study carried out by the School of Engineering of the University of São Paulo , water acquires color when there are substances in solution, which can be caused by iron or manganese, by the decomposition of organic matter in water (mainly plants), by algae or by introduction industrial and domestic sewage.
As such, there are some situations that, unlike when white water is coming out of the tap, can be cause for concern. We list some of them below!
brown water
There are situations where residents complain about the water coming out brown from the taps. This can happen when there is residual clay from some maintenance carried out in the distribution networks, or the presence of other substances. This is what happens, for example, when the pipes are made of iron in older homes and buildings. In this case, the material can rust and the incrustations can leave traces in the water.
Like iron, another substance that makes water a brownish color is manganese, a mineral found naturally in the soil of some regions of the country and which is removed during the water treatment process. However, in older supply networks, there may be the presence of this incrusted material, which may come loose in cases of maintenance or pressure changes and, thus, cause a change in the color of the water.
As we've seen, brown water is a point of attention, especially if the color is darker and the water is dense. The color alone may not mean that the water will be unfit for consumption, but it's important to keep an eye out! Therefore, the municipality's water supplier must be notified so that the quality of the water is attested.
Bad smelling water
As in the previous case, there are also situations in which the water comes out of the tap with a bad smell, which can be noticed in the air or which is impregnated in the clothes that are washed.
The causes of bad smell in water can be many. In some cases, this happens because of characteristics of the springs where the water was collected, such as the excessive presence of algae. However, often the problem is not in the public supply of treated water, but in the household's facilities.
If the smelly water is in only a few faucets, try replacing the hose that connects the faucet to the piping. To solve the problem, the hose material must be non-toxic, that does not transfer neither taste nor smell to the water, and does not retain residues that can accumulate and cause a bad smell.
Another possibility is that the water tank is in need of cleaning . This maintenance should be done every six months to guarantee the quality of the water inside the home. In any case, if the water has a strange smell, get in touch and report the problem to the sanitation company responsible for supplying your city.
water with bad taste
The causes of bad-tasting water are practically the same as when the liquid smells unpleasant. The presence of accumulated pollutants and waste can cause this situation.
Whenever you come across any scenario that could indicate water quality problems , it's a good idea to contact the utility responsible for this service in your city. And, in case you use wells, it is recommended to carry out chemical and biological tests frequently to verify the presence of substances.
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