SMELLY WATER SPARKS SAFETY PLEDGE

Bosses say there’s no risk to health

Residents across Stirling have been reassured that “smelly water” from their taps is safe despite reports of a compound linked to algae being discovered in

Scottish Water had been conducting tests after some householders complained that water had an earthy, musty taste.

Affected postcode areas included parts of the city and village’s across rural Stirlingshire.

A spokesperson for Scottish Water said: “The water continues to be tested rigorously in our laboratories and we can confirm that it is safe to use as normal and does not pose a risk to public health.

“Monitoring of water supplies from the Carron Valley Water

Treatment Works (WTW), which serves these areas, and one of the source reservoirs has confirmed that the earthy, musty taste or odour is due to Geosmin, a harmless naturally-occurring bycompound associated with the breakdown of algae and other micro-organisms in the raw water sources.

“It has a distinct earthy, musty taste and odour and is present in some foods such as beetroot, spinach, and mushrooms.

“It contributes to the strong scent that occurs in the air when rain falls after a dry spell of weather or when soil is disturbed.

“We are continuing to carry out extensive sampling and flushing of the network and service reservoirs to tackle the issue.

“The latest samples show that the situation has improved and levels of Geosmin have continued to reduce during the course of the past week.

“However, we fully appreciate there are some customers who are still experiencing the taste or odour issue with their water and we are continuing to carry out the sampling and flushing in the network.”

Among the affected postcode ares is; FK6 – Denny, Dunipace, Fankerton, Head of Muir, Stoneywood; FK7 – Bannockburn, Cambusbarron, Cowie, Fallin, Plean, South Alloa, St. Ninians; and FK8 – Stirling, Aberfoyle, Arnprior, Buchlyvie, Gargunnock, Gartmore, Inversnaid, Kippen, Port of Menteith, Ruskie, Thornhill. The postcode area G63 – Balfron, Balmaha, Blanefield, Croftamie, Drymen, Dumgoyne, Fintry, Killearn, Rowardennan and Strathblane was also affected.

However, Kippen resident, Alex McLaren says that both he and his wife felt under the weather before discovering the problem. He said: “It’s quite alarming. My wife and I are just back from a week away in Tayside. Before we went away neither me nor my wife were feeling well and the week we were away we felt better, so I don’t know if the water had anything to do with it.” Scottish Water has apologised for to affected customers.