A NUMBER of customers in the Launceston area reported having discoloured water on Monday.

South West Water investigated the cause during the afternoon and found it was caused by a power surge and the failure of a valve at one of its treated water reservoirs.

The company sent a text to customers to alert them, and advised them to run the cold tap until the water was clear.

A spokesperson for South West Water said: “Brown, orange or yellow water is usually caused by the disturbance of iron or manganese deposits which build up on the inside of the pipes. This can occur following a burst main, which has changed the flow of the water. Increased water flow disturbs any deposits in the pipework, making the water discoloured. It’s unlikely to be harmful to your health as iron and manganese are found in healthy diets, however it’s best not to use it for cooking, drinking or washing clothes.

“ We took the reservoir out of service [on Monday] and flushed the network clear.”

South West Water said it was monitoring the situation as the Post went to press on Tuesday but said the issue should be resolved.