Water safe to drink – despite going brown!

TAP water could run brown in many thousands of homes across Rochdale and Bury.

United Utilities, however, have written to households warning families and residents not to panic – the water will still be safe to drink.

But the letters do say washing machines, dishwashers and electric showers shouldn’t be used.

The company said a programme of repair work could ‘temporarily alter the appearance or affect the pressure’ of water supplies in areas across both towns.

Locations haven’t been narrowed down any further.

The letter from United Utilities said: ‘We don’t need to switch off your water supply to complete our work, although you may notice your water appears discoloured, cloudy or is reduced in pressure.

‘This is completely normal and your water is still safe to drink.’

The warning also covers water with a ‘brown or yellow’ appearance.

The letter warns water may also appear white or cloudy, but says the cloudy appearance will disappear in time.

Engineers will start routine maintenance work to the water network covering the areas over four days from next Tuesday, March 7.

The work is due to finish on March 10.

Pipes being dislodged due to engineering works or repairs can cause ‘unpleasant’ looking but harmless sediment and ‘natural deposits’ to flow from taps, the letters warn.