Water taste like Sewage ?

I don't know if anyone saw the Evening News last night, but the drinking water in North London has tasted like Sewage for the last month.

The water treatment works at Coppermill Lane said there was No Problem, but I stopped drinking it about a month ago as it tasted so bad !!

In the report, they said they had stopped drawing water off the Lea and were pumping it from the Thames ?

makes you wonder whats going on

Bob

where's it come from, what is it and sadly we know where its going, into the thames, I have made enquiries mate about how/where to get water sample tested, and how expensive, will pm you buddy when I get the info,

Thanks Jim,

Not good for anyone.

Bob

Sounds very dodgy. Nothing will happen unless there are any incidences of cholera or typhoid reported. Water around my way in west London ain't too clever at times. Boiled water is the only way I'll drink it.

it wouldnt hurt for us to find some reasonably priced 'water tester' scientists, worst ways it certainly wouldnt hurt to know how much it can cost

That sounds terrible. I am having my water tested at the moment. My water comes from a borehole and somehow it has been contaminated with a bacteria responsible for e-coli. They are due to come and test again soon, can make some enquiries if you want as i believe they are a london based company. The estate i live on is owned by the Duke of westminster. We have to boil all our drinking water for the last 2 months.

chris, as youve said before, we share the same/similar problems despite the distance between us, please would you ask the group that test your water, what the approximate cost for testing samples is,
do you or anyone else know what is the best way to keep a sample prior to it being sent off, or how long you can keep the sample before testing, I would assume that might depend upon the type of contaminates, would I be correct

No problem i will see what i can find out.

Taking Samples.

It is important that samples are representative of the water body. If it is to sent off for analysis it is important that great care and attention is taken as the sample will be of no use.
Samples should be sent for analysis as soon as possible after sampling and should be kept in a refrigerator at 2 degrees C if kept for mor than a few hours.

1. The sample should be taken well out in the stream. Avoid backwaters.
2. The sample container should be rinsed out with water being sampled. ( an air space should be left to minimise breakage, except if sampling dissolved oxygen)
3.Bottle should be filled from below and not at surface, avoid leaves and particulate matter
4. Do not disturb bed of stream.
5. Take the water temp at time of sampling.

Various safety precations should be taken especially if sampling a discharge. Avoid direct contact with discharge, cover skin etc. A sample upstream and downstream of discharge should be taken also.

TRIPARTITE SAMPLING ( procedure where legal action may be taken)

1. A single sample should be taken in a bucket big enough to fill 3 plastic sample bottles ( Winchesters) Bucket must be vigorously cleaned first.
2. The occupant of the land from which the discharge arises must be informed that it is intended to have a sample analysed.
3. The sample should be divided into 3 containers which are then sealed and marked.
4. One bottle should be delivered to the occupant, one sent for analysis and one kept for future reference.
In order to ensure continuity of evidence special precautions need to be taken when storing the sample and handing it over.

Labelling

Labs may have specific requirements and may supply bottles and labels etc.
Generally you need to record

1. Description of sample, location ( OS map reference)
2. List of analysis you wish to be made Eg Metals, sewage, pesticide etc
3. Reason for sample Eg Fish kill etc
4. Water temp.
5. Date and Time of sample
6. A note of weather conditions at and prior to sampling. Eg Heavy rain
7. Your name and signature.

Reporting Pollution
Important to set down any details as ASAP. The report in writing, signed and dated should be comprehensive and set out all the facts in a concise and logical fashion. It shoud include

1. A full account of all your actions in chronological order, giving times in 24 hr clock
2. Your observations on the effect of the pollution on the river, including measurements made, discolouration, dead or distressed fish etc. An indication of species, numbers and sizes.
3. Details of discharges and tributaries inspected
4. Details of all samples taken.
5. If a polluting discharge is found all conversations with occupant or staff or other witnesses should be noted.
6. Details of any remedial action which was taken to mitigate the effects.
7. A list of names of people and organisations notified.

All the above has been taken from my IFM Fisheries management course material. The reporting pollution details are really aimed at fisheries managers.


Hope this may be of use.

Chris

what are you like mate, thats the doggy dangles dude, this like youre earlier contributions is cosmic, hope it helps, if it dont theres no hope for anyone, I'm now wondering whether we should have a short set of instructions on how to collect test water samples, permanently on site
mucho gracias senor

james page wrote:

...I'm now wondering whether we should have a short set of instructions on how to collect test water samples, permanently on site
mucho gracias senor

I'll break Chris's post down and place it on the open forum Jim, I was thinking the same, it'll be done before the weekend has passed.


Richard

Not a problem at all. Glad to be of help.

Chris Daphne wrote:

Not a problem at all. Glad to be of help.

Cheers Chris.


Richard

It's very odd that although I live within a half mile of the Coppermil lane treatment works, I've had no problems with my water supply. No bad smells or bad taste. This may be due to any number of reasons, but I can't dispute the misgivings of so many other people. If there is a problem. then Thames water are duty bound to correct it and inform those using the supply of any potential dangers.

Unfortunately, I was in hospital ( still complaing about the taste of the water ) when it was revealed that Ryemeads sewerage works had tipped some chemical into the Lea Navigation.

This had been taken into the Coppermill water treatment plant and was the reason why the water tasted odd !!

I can't find anything about the outcome of the this spill ?

Or if the Water company will be fined ?

Bob

apparently the chemical spilt can only be detected by one person in a thousand or summit, think bob is sussing it out