Oswestry is unlikely to get its old water supply back, despite pleas from townspeople to buy it in from the previous reservoir supply, a Severn Trent boss has said.

Calls for the authority to buy water from the United Utilities’ Llanforda reservoir were met with an admission it probably would not happen because of costs.

David Essex, Water strategy manager for Severn Trent, told Oswestry’s local joint committee meeting last night he would take the request back but did not want to raise false hopes.

Six years ago Oswestry’s water supply was switched from the Llanforda reservoir just outside the town – which stores water piped from Lake Vyrnwy – to Severn Trent’s own supply at Shelton.

But the change brought complaints about the taste and hardness of the new supply.

Mr Essex said the recent mixing of the Shelton water with 50 per cent of water from a new borehole at Nesscliffe to supply Oswestry had been met with compliments.

He agreed that the water from Llanforda reservoir had been softer but said it was changed to ensure Oswestry was guaranteed a supply as the town grew.

But Mr Essex also admitted the water from Llanforda had to be bought from United Utilities at a commercial price and he said Severn Trent was unlikely to buy that water if it could supply its own water.

Councillor Vince Hunt said: “Severn Trent may have the cheapest water but I would gladly pay for for a better taste.”

He called on Severn Trent to buy half of Oswestry’s water supply from United Utilities and mix it.