Do you live in the New Forest (Christchurch, New Milton, Lymington, New Forest, Ringwood, St Leonards and Beaulieu)?
In the New Forest, natural seasonal changes in autumn and winter temporarily change the colour of the river water that supplies our water treatment works.
We carry out additional monitoring and treatment at this time – even when water has a tint, it’s safe to drink and use as normal.
What causes discolouration?
Discolouration is sometimes caused by something happening to stir up sediment in the network – for example, a burst pipe or repairs to the network. This issue can usually be cleared by running the cold kitchen tap for an hour. Even with a major repair, the problem should be sorted within 24 hours.
There are other causes of discolouration. The colour of the water gives you a clue about what the cause is. See our guide on discolouration or information below.
Bits in the water
Cause: Biological growths that can build up on damp surfaces like the end of taps or showerheads. In East Devon, occasionally limescale can build up in kettles and other appliances due to the natural hardness of the water.
Fix: Regularly clean all your taps and showerheads to prevent any build up. Also, air your kitchen and bathroom regularly as this helps dry these areas out. You can do that by simply opening a window or using an extractor fan or dehumidifier. You should also avoid the use of aerosols in these areas (they often contain ingredients that bacteria and mould can feed off).
Before you start running the tap…
If you’re on a meter, make sure to take a meter reading before you start running your tap and straight away afterwards. Then, simply fill in the form below to claim a run-off allowance.
We’ll be back soon!
The form you’re looking for is temporarily unavailable while we update some of our systems.
This service will resume as normal in late November.
What are we doing about discolouration?
We normally flush the pipes after a repair to clear the sediment and get your water running clear as soon as possible.
We’re also replacing older pipes where discolouration happens more than usual.
Discolouration is normally short lived following a burst or repairs to our network and should clear after running your cold kitchen tap for an hour.
Sometimes it may persist due to the size of the burst or time taken to make the repair but it shouldn’t last beyond 24 hours. We will normally flush the pipes after a repair to clear the sediment and get your water running clear again.
Need a plumber?
