Apology for city's 'smelly water'

Householders have raised concerns about the smell of their water

Scottish Water has apologised to customers in Edinburgh for a temporary change in the taste and smell of drinking water supplies.

A spokesman said a valve had been opened during routine maintenance, releasing water from a storage tank into the main water supply.

Network manager Bill Byers said the stored water had been treated but had created the change in taste and smell.

He said initial tests had shown the supply still met key quality standards.

The incident occurred at Marchbank Water Treatment Works on Wednesday, which supplies the north and west areas of Edinburgh as well as some West Lothian customers.

Mr Byers said Scottish Water was continuing to flush out the mains supply to improve the situation, and customers should continue to use their water as normal.

"Robust procedures are in place to monitor and analyse water quality in such circumstances," he said.

"As part of these procedures water samples have been taken. We will keep NHS Lothian informed of the results of these tests.

"The initial results have shown the water continues to be safe and meets strict quality standards."

He added that people returning home on Thursday evening, who detected a difference in their water, should run their taps for 10 to 15 minutes.

Additional water sample results were due later on Thursday.