Troubleshooting Discoloured or Cloudy Water After Filter Replacement
Understanding and Eliminating Air Bubbles, Carbon Fines, and Off-Tastes
If filtered water appears cloudy, milky, or contains black specks immediately following a filter change, it is usually a temporary condition related to the new filter media. Understanding the difference between common occurrences helps determine the necessary corrective action.
| Cause (Diagnosis) | Solution (How to Fix) |
| Harmless Trapped Air | The water appears uniformly milky or cloudy. This effect is caused by a massive volume of microscopic air bubbles trapped within the dry filter media that are released into the water stream under pressure. This is not a safety concern. |
| Carbon Fines Breakthrough | The water contains fine black or grey particulate matter. This is carbon powder (carbon fines) released from a newly installed carbon block or granular activated carbon filter that was not adequately rinsed (flushed) prior to use. |
| Metallic or Chemical Taste | Residual Preservatives/Manufacturing Residue: New filters and RO membranes may contain harmless chemical preservatives or packing residue that can impart a sharp or metallic taste if the initial flushing is insufficient. |