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Residents in Perth’s north concerned about cloudy drinking water

Lucy JarvisNorth Coast Times

RESIDENTS across the northern suburbs have reported having ‘cloudy’ water recently, which the Water Corporation says is safe to drink.

The utility’s media and strategic communications manager Clare Lugar said white or cloudy water resulted from “elevated water hardness”.

“Hardness is a measure of the concentration of calcium and magnesium salts in water,” she said.

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“The water we supply to the suburbs impacted comes from bores and has naturally higher levels of hardness due to the presence of these minerals.

“When hard water is boiled, carbon dioxide is released and calcium carbonate precipitates making the water white or cloudy.

“This is why it is only noticeable when using water boiled from the kettle.”

Water Corporation received reports from residents in several suburbs, including Alkimos, Burns Beach, Butler, Clarkson, Eglinton, Iluka, Jindalee, Kinross, Merriwa, Mindarie, Quinns Rocks and Ridgewood.

Alkimos resident Shauna Boreham said water turned cloudy in her kettle (pictured) after boiling it once, straight after cleaning the kettle with vinegar.

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She contacted Water Corporation last week, which provided bottled water for her four-month-old baby, and said the issue appeared to have been fixed yesterday.

Ms Lugar said the water was “completely safe for use”.

“Water we supply complies with 100 per cent of the health requirements specified in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines,” she said.

“We have a comprehensive water testing regime to ensure we consistently provide safe drinking water that meets this criteria.

“We do understand white/cloudy water is not visually appealing, and this may cause some concern.

“While there is no obvious reason why the white or cloudy water has recently become more noticeable, as hardness levels are similar to previous years, we are taking the issue seriously.

“Water quality experts, engineers and plant operators are working together to trial different technical solutions.”

Ms Lugar said the utility also planned a major upgrade for the treatment plant to cater for future growth in the area.

“As part of this project, our engineers will consider if any other changes should be made to the plant to ensure both the health and aesthetic water quality guidelines continue to be met,” she said.

For more information on water hardness, visit www.watercorporation.com.au/faults/water-quality/hard-water or call 13 13 75.

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