UPDATE 4 October
Water from the Oxford Rural No.1 supply is now safe to drink, and no longer needs to be boiled before consuming.
As you will be aware, on 11 August 2023 residents on the Oxford No. 1 drinking-water supply were advised of a Boil Water Notice. This was issued as a precautionary measure due to high turbidity (cloudiness) levels being detected in the source water through system monitoring at the treatment plant.
Despite staff efforts to flush the main supply well, turbidity levels in the source water had remained elevated and was affecting the performance of the well pump and treatment monitoring equipment. The decision was made to take the supply well offline for repair and conduct further investigations into the cause of the elevated turbidity.
The investigations identified issues with the well pump and a section of the well pipe, which were replaced. While the repair works were being carried out, the drinking-water was supplied from the emergency backup source at the Rockford Road River Intake. As the water quality from the river intake is very poor in comparison, Council officers had requested that the Boil Water Notice remained in place over the period of works.
The repair works on the McPhedrons Well have now concluded and is now back in service as the main source for the water scheme. The Rockford Road River Intake has been taken offline and the reticulation pipes flushed to remove the high turbidity water from the system. Following pipe flushing, samples have been taken from the supply well and the reticulation pipes to ensure that the turbidity levels have returned to normal and the water is safe for consumption. Therefore the Boil Water Notice in place is now removed, effective immediately.
7 September
Investigations into the cause of water turbidity for the Oxford Rural No.1 Water Supply have identified an issue with sections of the well pipe.
These sections are currently being replaced along with the well pump as part of a suite of upgrades to the McPhedrons site. The well casing and screens have been assessed and are in good condition.
Works is expected to continue for a further four weeks. During this time, the boil water notice is intended to remain in place.
We ask residents to boil tap water for one minute before use:
- Drinking
- Cleaning teeth
- Making ice
- Washing dishes and preparing food.
Any industry or institution involved in using tap water for consumption or a food process must stop immediately.
You do not need to boil water for:
- Showering
- Watering your garden
- Cleaning vehicles.
Unsure if you're affected? See the below map for the scheme members or call 0800 965 468 (WMK GOV) to check.
5 September
Please share this information with friends, family and neighbours who are using the same water supply as you.
Please share this information with friends, family and neighbours, who are using the same water-supply as you. Especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, tenants, people in holiday homes, and businesses).
Individual contact details can be updated by either completing this form or by phoning the Council on 0800 965 468 and requesting to update your contact information.
Residents on this supply need to use boiled tap water or store-bought bottled water for drinking, cleaning teeth, making ice, washing dishes and preparing food until further notice. Tap water should be boiled on a rolling boil for one minute.
The supply is being chlorinated but it is important that water used for drinking, cleaning teeth, making ice, washing dishes and preparing food is brought to a rolling boil before use. Stored water and ice should be disposed of.
Un-boiled water is fine for showing in, watering plants, washing cars etc.
18 August
Boil Water Update Notice Oxford Rural No.1 water supply
The boil water notice on the Oxford Rural No.1 water supply remains in place.
Since the turbidity incident last week, turbidity levels of the well have continued to be high despite efforts to flush the well.
The increased turbidity has been affecting the treatment system and putting a strain on the well pump.
Therefore, a decision has been made to commence re-development of the main well at the McPhedrons Road site.
The emergency backup source at the Rockford Road River Intake will be brought online to supply the water scheme whilst the main well is taken offline for re-development.
The re-development works on the well will commence on Monday 21 August 2023 and is expected to take 4 to 6 weeks to complete.
Whilst the boil water notice was precautionary before, it is now critical as the water quality from the river intake is very poor in comparison.
We will continue to update you via our website and social media channels as any more information comes to hand.
11 August
As a precautionary measure, a Boil Water Notice is in place on this scheme from today to ensure that this water supply is safe for consumption. Please inform any neighbours or friends on the scheme who may not be aware of this notice.
The Boil Water Notice is expected to be in place until the issues with the primary well are resolved. We are carrying out extensive flushing of the well and will be monitoring the well closely over the weekend.
If it does not improve, we will have to consider taking it offline for re-development works which could take up to a month to complete.
Residents on this supply need to use boiled tap water or store-bought bottled water for drinking, cleaning teeth, making ice, washing dishes and preparing food until further notice. Tap water should be boiled on a rolling boil for one minute.
The supply is being chlorinated but it is important that water used for drinking, cleaning teeth, making ice, washing dishes and preparing food is brought to a rolling boil before use. Stored water and ice should be disposed of.
Un-boiled water is fine for showing in, watering plants, washing cars etc.
Unsure if you're affected? See the below map for the scheme members or call 0800 965 468 (WMK GOV) to check.
Please note: Some Mountain Road properties are part of the supply but not shown on this map.
