Homes being tested after tap water warning

WATER sampling at customers’ homes is underway as Thames Water attempts to restore drinking water supplies to customers in parts of the RG8 area.
Thames Water has issued a ‘do not drink’ notice to customers in the after reports of strange smelling tap water were confirmed on Thursday evening.
It is currently affecting residents in Streatley, Ashampstead, Upper Basildon, Tidmarsh and Pangbourne.
Engineers worked through the night to bypass the affected pipe and flush through the system and this was completed in the early hours of sat morning.
Engineers will continue to visit residents in the affected area today to collect samples of water throughout the day, sending them for quality testing at Thames Water’s laboratory in Spencer Road, Reading.
Initial findings show the issue is due to extremely low concentrations of a compound called styrene in the water. This chemical is a common component of pipe materials and Thames Water is currently examining ways of reconfiguring the network to bypass the affected pipework in the Streatley area.
Around 22,000 litres of bottled water was delivered to sites across the region yesterday, backed by five water tankers.
Another 16,000 litres were ordered last night for the weekend. Fifty static tanks each carrying 100 litres were available this morning.
Thames Water are still unable to confirm when the issue will be resolved and have apologised to customers affected.
Tap water can still be used for washing and bathing, but not cleaning your teeth, making ice or for your pets.
The water giant also says that in the “unlikely event” anyone is experiencing illness, they should seek medical advice.
Bottled water collection points have been set up at the following locations:
. Streatley – atthe junction of Wantage Road and Wallingford Road, RG8 9LG
. Lower Basildon – Godwins Lodge, RG8 9PB
. Upper Basildon – St Stephens Church, RG8 8LS
. Ashampstead – Flowers Piece Playing Fields by the church, RG8 8SH
Thames Water also have teams in the area giving out bottled water and speaking to customers with an information bus at The Bull at Streatley.
Around 1500 properties are thought to be affected and advice was delivered to the affected homes overnight.
Simon Earl, Thames Water’s head of water production, said: “The risk to public health is very low and this is being done as a precaution. Drinking water standards in the UK are very high and we take any quality issues very seriously.
“The situation is improving but the safety of our customers is of paramount importance. We’re working as quickly as possible to return things to normal, and as soon as we have confirmation the water is safe to drink again we will issue an all-clear notice.
“We’re very sorry for the inconvenience and thank our customers for their patience and understanding.”