By SCWS Team | February 1, 2026
9 min read
You fill a glass from the tap, and instead of crystal-clear water, you're staring at something that looks like diluted milk. Your mind races: Is this safe to drink? Did something break? Should I call someone? Take a breath. Cloudy well water is surprisingly common, and the cause could be as harmless as air bubbles—or as serious as surface water contamination. The trick is knowing which. This quick-reference guide will help you diagnose the problem in minutes and decide whether it's DIY-fixable or time to call in the pros.
🔍 The 60-Second Glass Test
Fill a clear glass and wait 60 seconds. If it clears from bottom to top = air bubbles (harmless). If it stays cloudy or clears top to bottom = you need to investigate further.
Is Cloudy Well Water Safe?
The short answer: it depends on what's causing the cloudiness. Some causes are completely harmless, while others indicate serious contamination. Until you know the cause, treat cloudy water with caution—especially for drinking and cooking.
Safety First
If your water is suddenly cloudy and you don't know why, avoid drinking it until you identify the cause. Use bottled water for drinking and cooking as a precaution.
Common Causes of Cloudy Well Water
1. Air Bubbles (Harmless)
The most common—and least concerning—cause of cloudy water is dissolved air. Tiny air bubbles suspended in water create a milky or cloudy appearance.
How to identify air bubbles:
- Fill a clear glass and watch for 30-60 seconds
- Air bubbles will rise to the surface
- Water clears from bottom to top
- Within a minute or two, water is completely clear
Common causes of air bubbles:
- Cold water warming up (cold water holds more dissolved air)
- Changes in water pressure
- Air in the plumbing system after repairs
- Pump issues drawing air
Solution: If water clears on its own, no action is needed. If you constantly have air bubbles, have your well system checked—a pump drawing air indicates a problem.
2. Sediment and Sand
Fine particles of sand, silt, or sediment suspended in water cause cloudiness that doesn't clear by standing. The particles are too small to settle quickly.
How to identify sediment:
- Water stays cloudy after standing for hours
- Particles may eventually settle to bottom of glass
- Gritty feeling when rubbing between fingers
- Sediment accumulates in toilet tanks and fixtures
Common causes:
- Pump set too low: Drawing from sediment at well bottom
- Damaged well screen: Allowing sand into pump intake
- Naturally sandy aquifer: Some formations produce fine sand
- Well disturbance: Recent work stirred up sediment
- Dropping water table: Pump now drawing from lower, sandier zone
3. Mineral Content
High concentrations of certain minerals can cause cloudy or milky water:
- Calcium and magnesium (hard water): Can create white cloudiness, especially in hot water
- Iron: Oxidizes and creates rust-colored particles
- Manganese: Creates dark particles or brownish cloudiness
- Sulfur compounds: Can create milky appearance
How to identify:
- White scale buildup on fixtures and in water heater
- Cloudiness more pronounced in hot water
- Water may have metallic taste
- Staining on fixtures (orange for iron, black for manganese)
4. Bacterial Growth
Certain bacteria can create cloudiness or a slimy appearance in water:
- Iron bacteria: Create stringy, slimy growth and orange-brown cloudiness
- Sulfur bacteria: Create white or gray cloudiness with rotten egg smell
- Harmful bacteria: Generally don't cause visible cloudiness but can accompany other issues
Warning signs:
- Slime in toilet tank or fixtures
- Stringy growths when water sits
- Foul odor accompanying cloudiness
- Clogged filters that develop quickly
5. Surface Water Contamination
This is the most serious cause of cloudy water. When surface water enters your well, it brings:
- Sediment and organic matter
- Potentially harmful bacteria
- Agricultural runoff chemicals
- Parasites like Giardia and Cryptosporidium
Signs of surface water infiltration:
- Cloudiness worse after heavy rain
- Water has earthy or organic smell
- Visible debris or organic matter
- Positive bacteria tests
- Located in flood-prone area
⚠️ Urgent Action Required
If cloudiness worsens after rain, stop using well water immediately and have it tested. Surface water contamination is a serious health risk requiring professional evaluation and repair.
6. Methane Gas
In some areas (particularly near oil/gas deposits or coal seams), methane gas can dissolve in groundwater:
- Creates fizzy, effervescent appearance
- Bubbles continue forming even after water sits
- May be able to ignite gas above water surface (dangerous)
- Can affect well pump operation
Methane requires specialized treatment and venting systems.
Diagnosing Your Cloudy Water
The Glass Test
- Fill a clear glass with cold tap water
- Hold it up to light and observe
- Set it on counter and watch for 5 minutes
- Note: Does it clear? From bottom up or top down? Does sediment settle?
Results interpretation:
- Clears bottom to top: Air bubbles (harmless)
- Clears top to bottom: Settling sediment
- Stays uniformly cloudy: Fine particles, minerals, or bacteria
- Particles visible: Sand, sediment, or debris
When to Test Your Water
Get professional testing if:
- Cloudiness doesn't clear with the glass test
- Cloudiness is new or sudden
- It worsens after rain
- Accompanied by odor or taste changes
- Anyone in household has unexplained illness
Solutions for Cloudy Well Water
💰 Filtration System Costs
- • Spin-down filter: $100-$200
- • Cartridge sediment filter: $50-$150
- • Multi-stage system: $300-$800
- • Backwashing filter: $800-$1,500
For Sediment and Sand
Sediment filtration options:
- Spin-down filter: $100-$200, removes sand and large particles, easy to clean
- Cartridge sediment filter: $50-$150, various micron ratings for different particle sizes
- Multi-stage filtration: $300-$800, progressively finer filters for complete treatment
- Backwashing sediment filter: $800-$1,500, self-cleaning for heavy sediment loads
Also consider:
- Raising pump if it's too close to well bottom
- Well rehabilitation if screen is damaged
- Lowering water usage rate if pumping too fast
For Mineral Issues
- Water softener: $800-$2,500, removes calcium/magnesium hardness
- Iron filter: $800-$2,000, oxidizes and removes iron
- Manganese filter: Similar to iron filter, often combined
- Sediment + carbon combo: $400-$1,000, handles multiple issues
For Bacterial Contamination
- Shock chlorination: $150-$400, kills existing bacteria
- UV disinfection: $500-$1,500, ongoing protection
- Continuous chlorination: $1,000-$3,000 for persistent problems
For Surface Water Infiltration
This requires fixing the source, not just treating symptoms:
- Well cap replacement and sealing
- Casing repair or extension
- Grout seal repair
- Improved surface drainage
- In severe cases, drilling a new, deeper well
When to Call a Professional
Contact a well service professional when:
- Cloudiness worsens after rain (surface water issue)
- You can't identify the cause with basic testing
- Cloudiness is accompanied by odor or taste changes
- You need water testing to identify the cause
- Well repairs may be needed (casing, screen, seal)
- You want to install a whole-house filtration system
- Cloudiness persists after DIY treatments
Learn more about our well diagnostic services and water testing options.
Preventing Cloudy Water
🛡️ Prevention Checklist
✓ Annual well inspection ✓ Sealed well cap ✓ Proper surface grading ✓ Regular filter changes ✓ Baseline water testing
- Annual inspections: Catch problems before they affect water quality
- Regular testing: Baseline tests help identify changes
- Maintain wellhead: Keep cap sealed and area graded properly
- Monitor pump operation: Air in lines indicates potential problems
- Change filters regularly: Clogged filters reduce effectiveness
- Protect during construction: Keep heavy equipment away from well
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cloudy well water safe to drink?
It depends on the cause. Cloudy water from air bubbles or harmless minerals may be safe, but cloudiness from sediment, bacteria, or surface water contamination can be dangerous. Don't drink cloudy well water until you've identified the cause. Get a water test to be sure.
Why did my well water suddenly become cloudy?
Sudden cloudiness often results from well disturbance (pump work, nearby construction), heavy rainfall or flooding, pump set too low stirring sediment, cracked casing allowing surface water in, or a failing pressure tank. Gradual cloudiness usually points to aging infrastructure or changing aquifer conditions.
How do I fix cloudy well water?
The fix depends on the cause. Air bubbles clear on their own. Sediment requires filtration—spin-down or cartridge filters for sand, and finer filters for silt. Bacterial growth needs shock chlorination. Surface water infiltration requires well repairs. Always identify the cause before choosing a solution.
What filter removes cloudiness from well water?
For sand and larger sediment, a spin-down or cartridge sediment filter (20-50 micron) works well. For fine silt causing cloudiness, you need a finer filter (5-10 micron) or a multi-stage system. Severe turbidity may require a specialized turbidity filter or water softener depending on the cause.
Cloudy Water Got You Concerned?
We'll diagnose the cause and recommend the right solution. Whether it's a simple filter or well repair, we provide complete well services throughout San Diego, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.