Even clouds can get hints of different colors, towards sunrise and sunset. This is because clouds are made up of tiny water droplets and ice crystals which also separate the colors.

Depending on the properties of the particles in our water sample, they will absorb and scatter radiation at different wavelengths. The light’s wavelength determines the color we see with our eyes.

Charlotte Water conducts more than 170,000 tests a year for contaminants from fecal bacteria to heavy metals, and sends customers annual reports. But if you’re on well water, it’s a different ...