SCORES of concerned and angry customers confronted representatives from Oswestry’s water provider last week.
In a two-day event held at the Guildhall last Tuesday and Wednesday, Severn Trent’s David Essex and Grace Marren met town residents who turned out in their droves to tell the utilities provider they were unhappy with the town’s water supply.
In a meeting with Oswestry Town Council prior to the opening of the public meetings, Severn Trent’s Water Strategy Manager, David Essex admitted that there was, at times, an unusual quality to the drinking water.
“I can’t taste much wrong with it. Something on there tastes a bit of chlorine but it comes and goes,” he said.
“We’ve done lots of testing and never found any serious issues,” he added.
Mr Essex said he was keen to find out more about the concerns being raised, adding “The main reason for us coming to town is that we are trying to find out as much as we can - the more we learn; the more likely we are to be able to improve the water.”
Mrs Barbara Ganley of Hampton Fields in Oswestry was one of the residents who turned out to meet Severn Trent.
She told the Advertizer: “It (the water) was so nice before, the difference was unbelievable. If I did not use a filter it would be rather undrinkable.”
Former plumber, Mr Melbourne Griffiths of Castle Street had other concerns about the water, presenting Severn Trent with a tap fitting covered in what he said was dirt from the water.
“If you were to fill a plastic bowl with water, let it sit overnight and then pour it out and wipe the bowl with a tissue you would see the dirt,” he said.
The Advertizer has been inundated with complaints about the water and many readers ask if the supply can be changed back to the old supply from Llanforda.
Safe
Mr Essex answered the question saying: “Llanforda water and Shelton water are both safe, they’re just different.
“United Utilities owns the Llanforda water, Severn Trent would have to buy that water at commercial rates which would be extremely expensive,” he said.
The Water Strategy Manager spent two days visiting local homes to taste the water for himself, including a visit to the Advertizer offices.
Town councillor John Gareth Jones said he felt “very positive” about Severn Trent’s commitment to improving the drinking water.
Severn Trent too are hopeful that when a new borehole at Nesscliffe goes operational around October 19, the water will improve as it will be blended in a 50:50 ratio with the water from the current borehole at Shelton.