Scottish Water: Discolored Tap Water Safe

Managers at Scottish Water last night insisted supplies were safe despite homes across Edinburgh receiving discolored water due to recent heavy rain.

John Rae, Scottish Water’s south-east area general manager, said three large treatment works at Alnwickhill, Fairmilehead and Marchbank had been put under pressure by the poor quality of the source water.

"I understand that it may be slightly disconcerting for our customers to see color in their water when they are not used to it," he told Angie Brown of The Scotsman.

"Our treatment works are able to remove all the large particles, but the extremely fine microscopic particles which caused the water to slightly change color have passed through."

The company insists customers should not be concerned about the yellowish water being pumped into the homes.

But some customers are not so sure. They've decided to buy bottled water instead, fearing their tap water is contaminated.

Officials have urged people to use and drink their tap water, explaining that it had been subjected to rigorous tests that proved it harmless.

Despite forecasts that the weather in the capital is to stay rainy for the rest of the week, water officials say they are confident the water color will return to normal within days.

Source: The Scotsman