Directory

Access tools

News

25 Feb 99

Water Supplies At Grenville Court, Drake Court, Rodney Court and Nelson Court

Work to fit two new valves to connect Grenville Court and Drake Court to the mains water supply began at 3.00pm today and will take approximately three hours to complete. Officers from the Borough of Poole and Wessex Water will be working to bypass recently relined water storage tanks which have been identified as the cause of the chemical contamination of residents' water supply.

The new valves will allow water to be pumped direct from the water mains to the flats. After work has been completed systems will be flushed and further water samples taken for testing. The results are expected within 24 to 48 hours and residents have been asked to continue using alternative water supplies until further notice.

Original samples from water tanks at Rodney Court and Nelson Court are currently being tested and results are expected tomorrow. Meanwhile water bowsers at all four blocks of flats will be replaced by larger containers as a matter of course. Additional shower and toilet facilities are being made available at Old Town Community Centre.

Dr Sarah Crook, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control for the Dorset Health Authority said: "I would like to reassure people that they shouldn't suffer any long term effects if they have come into contact with the chemical. The only likely health effects are short term such as a mild tummy upset or perhaps some skin irritation. If they have drunk contaminated water it should clear through their system within 24 hours. As a precaution the water in the system should only be used for flushing the toilet. People should not drink it, cook with it, wash or bathe in it or clean their teeth in it until further notice."

Once tests from the new water supply to Grenville Court and Drake Court have been completed it is hoped that reconnection to the water mains will take place by Friday.

Cllr Brian Clements, Leader of the Borough of Poole said: "Arrangements are in hand for an independent review of this event and the circumstances surrounding it".

Alan Barlow, Policy Director, Borough of Poole, tel 01202 633021