Earthy Tasting Water Fine To Drink

Guernsey Water say algal blooms may affect the taste and look of tap water, but it's safe to drink.

An extended period of dry, warm and relatively calm weather is being blamed for encouraging the growth of algal blooms in two of Guernsey's reservoirs.

Margaret McGuiness, the water quality risk manager for Guernsey Water, says there's no reason to be concerned:

“We are currently monitoring algal blooms in a couple of our reservoirs, which can cause your tap water to look, smell or taste slightly different to normal.

We would like to provide reassurance that even though some customers’ water may currently smell 'earthy' it is perfectly safe to drink, and as usual is being monitored daily for bacteriological and chemical quality, in line with the UK Drinking Water Regulations."

She says that water undergoes regular testing in the various quarries used as reservoirs as well as at the water purification plant in St Saviours and also as it comes out of the tap.

She says water is tested against 130 different benchmarks.

It's unclear which catchments are affected, but in the past quarries in the Vale have been blamed for a seasonal, 'earthy' taint.