Can you drink water with air in it? A comprehensive guide

According to the Drinking Water Inspectorate, the cloudy appearance of tap water caused by trapped air is not harmful to health. This common phenomenon is a simple matter of physics, often stemming from changes in pressure or temperature within the water supply.

Quick Summary

Water containing dissolved air, which may appear cloudy or milky, is generally safe to drink. The tiny bubbles are a harmless physical reaction caused by changes in pressure or temperature in the plumbing system. The cloudiness should dissipate on its own within a few minutes.

Key Points

• Water Cloudiness: Cloudy or milky water caused by tiny air bubbles is typically harmless and perfectly safe to drink.

• Bubble Source: The bubbles are atmospheric air that comes out of solution due to changes in water pressure or temperature in your plumbing system.

• Digestive Effects: Swallowing a small amount of air is normal, but excessive swallowing while drinking fast can cause minor, temporary bloating or belching.

• Plumbing Concerns: While harmless to drink, large amounts of trapped air can cause reduced water pressure or noisy pipes (water hammer).

• Clearing Cloudiness: Allowing the water to sit in a glass for a few minutes will cause the bubbles to dissipate and the water to clear.

• Carbonation vs. Aeration: Unlike commercial carbonated water which contains carbon dioxide, aerated tap water contains atmospheric air and has a neutral taste.

• Addressing Issues: If the cloudiness persists or is accompanied by other issues, troubleshooting your plumbing or contacting your water provider may be necessary.

Is Cloudy Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Yes, in most cases, cloudy or milky-looking tap water caused by tiny air bubbles is perfectly safe to drink. The bubbles are created when cold, pressurized water from the supply system is released into a less pressurized, warmer environment, like your glass. As the water sits, the dissolved air escapes, and the cloudiness clears up, often from the bottom of the glass upwards.

Causes of Air in Your Water

• Plumbing Repairs: After municipal water mains or home pipes are repaired, air can become trapped in the system.
• Temperature Changes: Cold water holds more dissolved air than warm water. If very cold water enters your home and warms up in the pipes, the air will come out of the solution, creating bubbles.
• High Water Pressure: Municipal systems use high pressure to push water to homes. When you open your faucet, the sudden drop in pressure causes dissolved air to effervesce, similar to opening a soda can.
• Faulty Well Systems: For homes on well systems, a faulty pump or low water level can introduce air into the pipes.
• Water Heaters: The heating process can cause aeration, so if only your hot water is bubbly, the issue is likely with your water heater.

Potential Health Effects of Swallowed Air

While drinking water with dissolved air is safe, swallowing excessive amounts of air while drinking quickly or using a straw can lead to minor digestive discomfort. This condition, known as aerophagia, can cause temporary bloating, belching, or gas. Drinking slowly and avoiding straws can help mitigate this, but these symptoms are generally harmless.

Natural Aerated Water vs. Carbonated Water

It's important to distinguish between naturally aerated tap water and commercially carbonated beverages like sparkling water. The gas in tap water is atmospheric air (mostly nitrogen and oxygen), while sparkling water is intentionally infused with carbon dioxide (CO2).

Here is a comparison table to clarify the differences:

Feature	Aerated Tap Water	Commercial Carbonated Water
Source of Bubbles	Atmospheric air (oxygen, nitrogen) naturally dissolved due to pressure and temperature changes.	Artificially infused with carbon dioxide (CO2).
Taste/Sensation	Neutral taste; bubbles are light and dissipate quickly as the air escapes.	Distinct, tangy or sharp 'bite' from carbonic acid; more robust and persistent bubbles.
Safety	Considered perfectly safe to drink and poses no health risk.	Generally safe; excessive consumption may impact dental enamel over time due to mild acidity, though plain seltzer is less harmful than soda.
Hydration	Hydrates just as effectively as non-aerated water.	Hydrates just as effectively, though the sensation of fullness from bubbles may cause you to drink less.
Digestive Effects	Minor, temporary bloating or gas if swallowed quickly.	Can aid digestion for some, but may cause temporary bloating in sensitive individuals.

Troubleshooting Plumbing Issues from Trapped Air

Sometimes, trapped air is not just a visual concern but a sign of a larger plumbing issue. Noisy pipes, known as 'water hammer,' or reduced water pressure can indicate air pockets are causing turbulence in your system.

Here are some steps to address plumbing issues related to air:

1. Turn off the main water supply to your house.
2. Open every faucet, including sinks, bathtubs, and outside hose spigots, and run them until they completely drain and stop sputtering.
3. Flush all toilets to ensure all tanks and pipes are drained.
4. Turn the main water supply back on slowly, leaving the faucets open.
5. Let the water run from the highest faucet in the house for several minutes until it flows smoothly and consistently.
6. Close all faucets, starting with the one furthest from the main shut-off.

If the issue persists, especially if you experience discolored water, a bad odor, or metallic taste, it's best to contact your local water utility or a professional plumber. In very rare cases, persistent gas could be methane, which requires professional testing.

Conclusion

In summary, encountering air bubbles that make your water look cloudy is a very common and almost always harmless phenomenon. It's a natural result of the water's journey through your plumbing, caused by changes in pressure and temperature. The tiny air bubbles will dissipate if you let the water sit for a few minutes, confirming that your water is safe to drink. While commercially carbonated water differs chemically by containing carbon dioxide, both aerated tap water and sparkling water are equally hydrating. For most people, the decision is a matter of preference. If the cloudiness persists or is accompanied by other unusual symptoms, a call to your water provider is a sensible step. For more in-depth information on water quality testing, you can visit the Know Your H2O website.

Note: While aerated tap water is safe, persistent or unusual symptoms should prompt you to contact your water utility.

How air affects drinking water

Air can make water appear cloudy

• Heading: Harmless Cloudiness.
• Concise takeaway: The milky-white or cloudy appearance is caused by millions of tiny air bubbles coming out of the water solution.

Air can affect the taste of water

• Heading: Possible Taste Changes.
• Concise takeaway: The presence of air can sometimes enhance or alter the perception of naturally occurring tastes and odors in the water.

Air can lead to plumbing issues

• Heading: Plumbing Problems.
• Concise takeaway: Large amounts of trapped air can cause noisy pipes (water hammer) and reduce water pressure.

Air can cause temporary digestion discomfort

• Heading: Minor Digestive Effects.
• Concise takeaway: Swallowing air while drinking, a condition known as aerophagia, can cause minor, temporary bloating or belching.

Air is generally not a safety risk

• Heading: Safe to Drink.
• Concise takeaway: Unless accompanied by other warning signs like odor or discoloration, water with air bubbles poses no health risk.

FAQs

question: What should I do if my water looks cloudy with air bubbles? answer: The best course of action is to let the water sit in a glass for a few minutes. If the cloudiness, which is caused by harmless air bubbles, clears up from the bottom, the water is safe to drink.

question: Why is my water cloudy but only for a few minutes? answer: The cloudiness is caused by dissolved air escaping from the water as the pressure and temperature change. The phenomenon is temporary because once the air bubbles rise to the surface and dissipate, the water becomes clear again.

question: Does water with air bubbles cause digestive problems? answer: The small amount of air in aerated tap water is not enough to cause issues. However, swallowing excessive air by drinking too quickly or using a straw could lead to minor bloating or gas.

question: Is cloudy water a sign of contamination? answer: No, cloudy water caused by air is not a sign of contamination. However, if the water also has an unusual odor, taste, or discoloration, you should contact your water supplier to investigate.

question: How can I remove air from my water pipes? answer: To remove air from your plumbing, first turn off the main water supply. Then, open all faucets to let the system drain completely before turning the supply back on slowly.

question: Is cloudy hot water a different issue than cloudy cold water? answer: If only your hot water is cloudy, the issue is likely specific to your water heater, which may be heating the water too quickly and causing aeration. If both are cloudy, it's more likely a general supply issue.

question: Can I use aerated water for cooking and other household uses? answer: Yes, using aerated water for cooking, washing, and other household tasks is completely safe. The trapped air does not affect the water quality for these purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary cause of air in tap water?

The most common cause is a sudden change in water pressure, such as when water is released from a pressurized municipal system into your home's pipes and glass. This allows dissolved air to escape as bubbles.

Is there any difference between air bubbles and carbonation?

Yes, tap water with air bubbles contains atmospheric air (oxygen and nitrogen), while commercial sparkling water is infused with carbon dioxide (CO2). This CO2 gives carbonated water its distinct, tangy taste.

Will aerated tap water affect my hydration levels?

No, aerated water is just as hydrating as regular still water. Research shows that as long as the base is H2O, hydration is the same.

When should I be concerned about air in my water?

You should be concerned if the cloudy water does not clear, or if it is accompanied by other warning signs like an unusual odor (e.g., rotten eggs), discoloration, or a metallic taste. In such cases, contact your water utility.

Can I use a water filter to remove air from my water?

Standard water filters are not designed to remove dissolved air. The air is a harmless physical effect that will resolve itself. If you want to remove it, simply let the water sit in an open container.

Does cloudy hot water mean there's a problem with my water heater?

If only your hot water is cloudy, it may indicate that your water heater is causing the aeration. This can happen when it heats water very quickly. The issue is likely with your internal plumbing, not the municipal supply.

Is it safe for children or pets to drink water with air in it?

Yes, water with air bubbles is safe for consumption by all age groups, including children, and is also safe for pets. The air is harmless and poses no health risks.