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 requested that the Boil Water Notice remain in place over the period of works.

The repair works on the McPhedrons Well have now concluded and it 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.

Thank you for your patience throughout this event.