To reproduce:

Create a 2-deep hole (any width and height though your only really need a 1x1 hole) filled with water. Replace the block that makes up the floor with something that Small dripleaf cannot be planted on, such as sand.

Observed behavior: When the small dripleaf fails to be placed, the water will become more opaque.

Expected Behavior: the water’s appearance is unaffected by the failed placement of the dripleaf.

NOTE: this glitch can occur under other circumstances too, such as with one block of water, or by breaking small dripleaf in two blocks of water (sometimes, it appears to be inconsistent).