Residents may have noticed a cloudy, white color to city tap water recently.

But water director Sam Sutherland said the water is safe to drink because the cloudiness is caused by air.

“There's nothing that will hurt anyone,” he said. “It should clear up in the next couple of weeks.”

The water changed color about three or four weeks ago. Sutherland said he has received a lot of calls over the problem.

“We just tell them not to worry about it,” he said.

The water clears up after a few seconds, however. Small bubbles sometimes form along the side of the glass.

“We've had this a lot before,” Sutherland said. “It almost seems to be a seasonal thing.”

He said the problem may be caused by the higher levels of the Ohio River or the numerous water main breaks the city has dealt with this winter.

“Then when we pump it and agitate it, the air dispenses in people's glasses,” Sutherland said.

He said the problem probably occurs this time of the year because the colder water on the river is trying to get to the bottom while the warmer air rises. That causes a chemical reaction which leads to the excess air in the water.

JEFF BARRON can be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 236.