Don’t be alarmed if your water turns brown

Residents in the South Park area of Maidstone should not be alarmed if the water from their taps turns brown.

South East Water is carrying out a cleansing programme on its underground mains this week.

The process involves directing water through the pipes quickly to draw sediment deposits – such as iron and manganese – out of the network.

While these naturally occurring deposits are not harmful, they can cause temporary discolouration.

South East Water’s distribution manager Mark Rice said: “During the flushing process customers may notice a reduction in water pressure, and possibly some discolouration, but this is temporary and can be solved by running the tap until the water runs clear.”

The work will not be carried out between 6am to 8am or 4pm to 10pm, when demand is highest.