Water discolouration in Belfast area
25 August 2003
Some residents in the Belfast township area may notice some discolouration
in their water today and for the next day or two, as a new pumping
station is brought into service. The discolouration will be caused by rust
in the
new well that will have developed in the time between the well
being sunk and being brought into full use.
City Water and Waste Unit Operations Manager Mike Bourke says
that, in addition, the high flows and fluctuating pressures in the Belfast
system
during the commissioning of the new pumping station have disturbed
sediments and clay in existing pipes and wells and added to the discolouration.
Council contractors are flushing the system as far as possible.
However if residents notice that their water is discoloured
they should run an outside tap and an inside cold water tap until the
water
clears.
People are advised NOT to run their hot water until they have
cleared their cold water, as doing so may put the discoloured
water into their hot water
systems, and these will take longer to clear.
Mike Bourke says the water will still be quite safe to drink; however samples
have been taken to confirm this.
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