Wrexham.com Gets To The Source Of Water Discolouration – Water Theft!

Yesterday we wrote about the discolouration that has been affecting water supplies in Wrexham, which has been a common problem over recent months (see here here here and here!)

Wrexham.com trawled Dee Valley Water’s Annual Regulatory Report for 2012 and found that on some occasions such incidents were caused by ‘illegal tankering’ in the ‘Legacy supply zone’. We investigated further and spoke with the company who told us more about the peculiar occurrence of water theft in Wrexham!

A spokesperson for Dee Valley Water said: “we have seen an increase in the illegal use of our hydrants which is when a third-party takes the water from our mains network without the relevant permit”.

One example given was a tanker filling up from a washout or a fire hydrant, or water being taken and used as part of road resurfacing works – all without a permit!

The water is usually taken by a third-party attaching a stand post, which is a metal pipe that screws onto the hydrant or washout.

This allows water to be extracted straight from the mains supply causing a sudden burst and then an extra flow which stirs up deposits, causing water discoloration for nearby Wrexhamites.

Dee Valley Water have told us to ask customers to be vigilant and look out for anyone stealing water or acting suspiciously near mains supplies.

They said: “If we are able to apprehend these people at the time of the illegal usage, then we can prosecute and prevent this reoccurring in the future”.

They added that the flushing of the Acton area will continue over the next few days, but have suggested running the kitchen cold tap to clear your supply.

We spoke with some of the workmen in the area yesterday morning who also indicated that it’s likely local residents will get letters through their doors as well.