Water Appearance
My water looks different from normal what do I do?
We supply drinking water that meets European Drinking Water Standards, on occasions water can become discoloured or cloudy in appearance die to a disruption in supply. If you experience any change in how your water drinking water looks, then you should contact us Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm 0035387 1327009, outside these hours send a text only or email and we will get back to you.
What causes discoloured water?
We have some legacy issues some pipes in the network are there over 30 years long before the water provided had been treated, over time a peaty biofilm settled on the inside of the mains. If there is a sudden change in the flow of the water in the main these particles can be disturbed. A disruption to the water supply may be attributed to work in the area such as a repair to a burst main, or cleaning of the distribution mains.
Is discoloured water harmful?
Although discoloured water is unsightly it is not usually harmful to health. Understandably, because it is not pleasant to look at, you may prefer not to drink it.
What should I do if my water is discoloured?
Discolouration usually clears fairly quickly and the process can be helped by running internal taps for a period.
What is being done to prevent discoloured water occurring?
Your water is fully treated, and we constantly monitor the condition of the water mains to help us plan our mains replacement schemes. We also carry out routine flushing of the distribution system.
My water looks cloudy, what I can do?
Cloudy water is usually due to the pressure of microscopic air bubbles trapped in your supply. These may be caused by a burst main or when we have been carrying out maintenance work in the area. Air in water is harmless and in most cases will settle back very quickly.
The water smells or tastes funny
There are several possible causes of unusual tastes or odours in water:
Chlorine
Chlorine is used in the treatment process to disinfect the water and kill bacteria. The levels of chlorine are harmless in the quantities which are used. A small quantity of chlorine remains in the water after treatment to ensure that the treated water system remains disinfected from the treatment works to your tap. You may occasionally experience a slight smell or taste of chlorine coming from the water in your taps. This does not mean that there is anything wrong with the water. The amount of chlorine in your water is monitored at the treatment plant and throughout the network it meets all European Drinking water Guidelines
An easy and safe way to overcome the taste and smell of chlorine in water is to cool the water. Fill a plastic water bottle and cool it in the fridge before drinking. If you are doing this make sure you drink it within 24 hours
Chlorine is also commonly noticed in swimming pools, where it is used in much higher concentration as a disinfectant. The levels are entirely different from the amounts used in the water treatment process.
This house is not my primary residence – the water tastes and smells different.
The makeup of water (including the levels of chlorine) varies from area to area and this will mean that the water may taste or smell slightly different from the water that you were used to
Another reason may be due to our having to alter the treatment process slightly depending on weather, demand and time of the year. These factors all affect the levels of chlorine that we must add to the water which in turn will slightly affect the taste and smell.
My water tastes salty
Incorrectly installed water softeners, fitted to washing machines for example, can cause salty tastes and contaminate the drinking water supply. Do not drink water from water softeners because it contains high levels of salt – you should always use a tap with softened water for cooking and drinking.
How will I know if my plumbing is causing the problem?
You can get advice from a professional plumber to find out if any taste, odour or discolouration problem is due to your own household plumbing. Check if your neighbours have the same problems, if they don’t they have the chances are it’s a plumbing problem.
If in doubt the company is always willing to assist with any water quality query.
Should I use a water filter?
Where customers decide to install or use a filtration system, including water filters and jugs, care and attention to the instructions are very important. All such appliances should be used in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations to avoid bacteriological growth and therefore contamination of the water which passes through these filters. If the filter is not used and replaced in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions bacteria can form on the filter and contaminate all water passing through it. This can result in food poisoning.
Your water is perfectly safe to drink without using a filter.
My water looks different from normal what do I do?
We supply drinking water that meets European Drinking Water Standards, on occasions water can become discoloured or cloudy in appearance die to a disruption in supply. If you experience any change in how your water drinking water looks, then you should contact us Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm 0035387 1327009, outside these hours send a text only or email and we will get back to you.
What causes discoloured water?
We have some legacy issues some pipes in the network are there over 30 years long before the water provided had been treated, over time a peaty biofilm settled on the inside of the mains. If there is a sudden change in the flow of the water in the main these particles can be disturbed. A disruption to the water supply may be attributed to work in the area such as a repair to a burst main, or cleaning of the distribution mains.
Is discoloured water harmful?
Although discoloured water is unsightly it is not usually harmful to health. Understandably, because it is not pleasant to look at, you may prefer not to drink it.
What should I do if my water is discoloured?
Discolouration usually clears fairly quickly and the process can be helped by running internal taps for a period.
What is being done to prevent discoloured water occurring?
Your water is fully treated, and we constantly monitor the condition of the water mains to help us plan our mains replacement schemes. We also carry out routine flushing of the distribution system.
My water looks cloudy, what I can do?
Cloudy water is usually due to the pressure of microscopic air bubbles trapped in your supply. These may be caused by a burst main or when we have been carrying out maintenance work in the area. Air in water is harmless and in most cases will settle back very quickly.
The water smells or tastes funny
There are several possible causes of unusual tastes or odours in water:
Chlorine
Chlorine is used in the treatment process to disinfect the water and kill bacteria. The levels of chlorine are harmless in the quantities which are used. A small quantity of chlorine remains in the water after treatment to ensure that the treated water system remains disinfected from the treatment works to your tap. You may occasionally experience a slight smell or taste of chlorine coming from the water in your taps. This does not mean that there is anything wrong with the water. The amount of chlorine in your water is monitored at the treatment plant and throughout the network it meets all European Drinking water Guidelines
An easy and safe way to overcome the taste and smell of chlorine in water is to cool the water. Fill a plastic water bottle and cool it in the fridge before drinking. If you are doing this make sure you drink it within 24 hours
Chlorine is also commonly noticed in swimming pools, where it is used in much higher concentration as a disinfectant. The levels are entirely different from the amounts used in the water treatment process.
This house is not my primary residence – the water tastes and smells different.
The makeup of water (including the levels of chlorine) varies from area to area and this will mean that the water may taste or smell slightly different from the water that you were used to
Another reason may be due to our having to alter the treatment process slightly depending on weather, demand and time of the year. These factors all affect the levels of chlorine that we must add to the water which in turn will slightly affect the taste and smell.
My water tastes salty
Incorrectly installed water softeners, fitted to washing machines for example, can cause salty tastes and contaminate the drinking water supply. Do not drink water from water softeners because it contains high levels of salt – you should always use a tap with softened water for cooking and drinking.
How will I know if my plumbing is causing the problem?
You can get advice from a professional plumber to find out if any taste, odour or discolouration problem is due to your own household plumbing. Check if your neighbours have the same problems, if they don’t they have the chances are it’s a plumbing problem.
If in doubt the company is always willing to assist with any water quality query.
Should I use a water filter?
Where customers decide to install or use a filtration system, including water filters and jugs, care and attention to the instructions are very important. All such appliances should be used in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations to avoid bacteriological growth and therefore contamination of the water which passes through these filters. If the filter is not used and replaced in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions bacteria can form on the filter and contaminate all water passing through it. This can result in food poisoning.
Your water is perfectly safe to drink without using a filter.