Cloudy water is caused by air bubbles in the water and is completely harmless. You can tell if it is air if the cloudiness clears first from the bottom of a glass with the small air bubbles moving up towards the surface. Our water originates from 60 to 80 feet below the gravel beds of the Russian River. At that depth, the water is under significant pressure and this source water is very cold. When water is both cold and under pressure, it is capable of holding significant amounts of dissolved oxygen or entrapped air. When the water gets to your tap it is generally a few degrees warmer and opening the faucets releases the pressure. The oxygen dissolved in the water immediately bubbles out, similar to opening a bottle of soda.
We suggest customers draw tap water into a bottle and store it in the refrigerator or let it sit in an open container until the bubbles naturally disappear. It only takes a few minutes for the air bubbles to clear.
If you have any questions or are experience cloudy water that does not clear as described, please call the Public Works & Utilities Water Department at (707) 778-4546.