To check if the cloudy water is due to dissolved air, fill a glass with water and leave it on a counter for a few minutes. The water should become clear again. Cloudy water of this type is safe to use. In some water districts, fluoride is added to the water because some people feel that fluoride is a health benefit. Golden's drinking water contains enough naturally occurring fluoride, so none is added.
Hard water contains high concentration of calcium compounds.
People from other water districts or people on well water may consider having a water softener installed. Therefore, residents on Golden's water supply do not have hard water, and will not need a softener. By the way, even hard water is fine to use and drink without a softener. Clear Creek water is surprisingly low in dissolved metals. The treatment process removes nearly all of these remaining metals from the drinking water.