Symptoms · 5 min
Cloudy or milky water: air, sediment or something else?
Milky water that clears from the bottom up is often trapped air. Persistent cloudiness may mean sediment — and pretreatment before UV or RO.
- Author
- WaterFilterHelp Editorial Team
- Canadian home-water research and consumer education
- Reviewed by
- WaterFilterHelp Standards Review
- Fact-checked against official Canadian guidance and certification sources
- Last reviewed
- 2026-08-23
Looking for a lab or free test option? Find a Water Test · Already have results? Explain your water test · Not sure which system you need? Run the Water Problem Wizard.
The glass test
Fill a clear glass. If cloudiness rises and clears from the bottom within a minute, it is usually dissolved air — annoying but not a contaminant.
If particles settle or water stays hazy, you may have sediment, silt or precipitation from wells and aging mains.
Why sediment filters matter
Grit wrecks softeners, clogs carbon beds and blocks UV light. A sediment stage is cheap insurance before the rest of the train.
When to call a pro
After plumbing work, well pump changes, spring runoff or flooding, persistent turbidity deserves a lab check and local advice.
Use the Water Problem Wizard, then request a quote for sediment and whole-home filtration.