HIGH-LEVEL talks are to be held in a bid to thrash out a solution to Oswestry's continuing drinking water problem.
The talks, led by MP Owen Paterson and Sir James Perowne, chairman of the Consumer Council for Water, will be held in Oswestry's Guildhall on Friday, September 24 at 10am with representatives of water companies Severn Trent and United Utilities also invited to attend.
Despite a reduction in complaints about the 'bleachy' taste, there are still a significant number of people who have remained unhappy since the supply was moved from Oswestry's own treatment works to Shrewsbury in 2003.
A local water forum which has been cataloguing the complaints has been successful in achieving some improvements and has recently come under the auspices of Oswestry Town Council.
The meeting will be expected to find ways in which local concerns can be addressed.
Cllr John R. Evans, a leading water campaigner, said that the meeting in Oswestry was a one-off chance and urged people to take advantage of their opportunity and put pen to paper or send an e-mail to the Town Council expressing their concerns.
"I am looking to arrange a drop-in session at the Guildhall prior to this meeting to collect comments and signatures," he added.
Town Mayor, Cllr Elaine Channon said the council was delighted to front this topic of concern for the town. "We would urge residents to contribute and have their say."
A questionnaire will ask if residents would rather go back to the previous supply.