Firm will cut chlorine level

Chlorine levels in Oswestry's water supply are higher than needed, Severn Trent officials have admitted.The levels are now to be reduced over coming months, a move that will be welcomed by residents who have been complaining about the taste and smell of the water since its source was switched five years ago.

The over-chlorination of the water and large swings in the chlorine level was discovered at the Llyclys reservoir.

This is where the water supplied from Shrewsbury's Shelton treatment works is given a boost of the chemical after travelling 15 miles along a pipeline.

It was only uncovered after concerns were raised by Oswestry Borough Council scrutiny member Councillor John Evans.

David Essex, of Severn Trent, told last night's borough council scrutiny committee that, while the chlorination of water at Shelton was very steady and about 0.3 per cent, the water Oswestry side of the Llynclys reservoir had about 0.6 per cent chlorination, although that figure fluctuated.

"This is higher than needed, particularly in the winter months when it is cold," he said.

"We shall be reducing the chlorine in a controlled way - if there is too little chlorine there is then a risk of bacterial re-growth."

He said the problem had not shown up before because the 1,000 random samples had not thrown it up and there had not been a high number of complaints.

Committee chairman Councillor Martin Bennett said there were a huge number of complaints when the water was first switched to Shelton in 2003, but recently people though complaining would do no good.

Councillor Evans called for the water supply to be switched again - to the reservoir at Llanforda, which currently serves Liverpool.

However, Mr Essex said this was not possible as that water was under licence to supply Liverpool and it had been made very clear to Severn Trent that there was not enough to also supply Oswestry.

Severn Trent has now promised to update the council on the reduction of chlorine in the water and to look again at forming a water forum for Oswestry - which was called for but never set up five years ago.