Lindsay residents who have noticed their tap water is cloudy or grey or smells like chlorine should not be concerned, according to the City of Kawartha Lakes.
“Water in municipal systems is prone to becoming cloudy or greyish-coloured due to unseasonably warm temperatures during the day and colder temperatures at night,” reads a media release issued by the municipality on Tuesday (February 13).
“Fluctuating temperatures can cause more air to be trapped in the water, resulting in the cloudiness. This has no effect on the quality of the water — it remains safe to drink.”
The city says the cloudiness should disperse when the cold water tap is run for a few minutes, or after the water is put into a jug or container in the fridge. Hot water that is cloudy can usually be resolved by lowering the setting on your hot water heater, according to the city.
The city is also reassuring residents who notice their tap water smells like chlorine. The chemical is added to the water to kill any harmful germs and make it safe for drinking.
“Chlorine levels are kept well within the regulated limits and are monitored 24 hours a day,” the city states.
According to the city, a chlorine smell in water is often caused by the dissipation of the gas from the water, changes in water temperature, high demand for water, or a change in operational demands.
To reduce the smell or taste of chlorine, residents are advised to keep a jug of water in the fridge as chlorine disperses over time.
“We’d like to thank the residents that have reached out about their drinking water in Lindsay,” says Amber Hayter, the city’s manager of waste and wastwater. “We completely understand it can be concerning; however, I want to reiterate that the drinking water in Kawartha Lakes is continuously monitored and remains safe to drink.”
