Common issues that can impact drinking water
Cloudy or milky water
Cloudiness is usually caused by tiny air bubbles trapped in the water – similar to dissolved gas in a fizzy drink. It often happens after pipe repairs or when cold water warms up in household plumbing. The water is still safe to drink. If you fill up a glass, you’ll notice the water soon clears.
Brown or discoloured water
Brown, yellow, or rusty‑coloured water is typically caused by naturally-occurring minerals (like iron or manganese) being stirred up in the pipes. This can happen after a watermain break, hydrant flushing, or a sudden change in flow rate or direction.
If you have discoloured water at your property, run an outside tap for five to 10 minutes to flush the pipes. If you still have discoloured water after that, please call your council to report the fault so our team can investigate.
Low water pressure
Low pressure can be caused by planned maintenance, leaks in the network, or issues with household plumbing such as partially-closed valves or clogged filters.
Metallic taste
A metallic taste often comes from household plumbing rather than the public water supply. Older pipes, hot‑water cylinders, or taps can release small amounts of metals, especially if water has been sitting in the pipes overnight.
We recommend running your cold water tap to let a couple of cups of water down the drain each morning before you take a drink. This flushes out water that’s been sitting in your pipes overnight.
White or chalky residue
This is caused by naturally-occurring minerals like calcium and magnesium in the water and is particularly common in drinking water sourced from underground aquifers. The water is still safe to drink.
When water evaporates, these minerals remain behind as a white film on taps, kettles, or glassware. The best way to prevent silica scaling is to dry surfaces like shower doors before the water evaporates.