Residents warned over 'yellow and brown' water gushing from pipes after mains leak in Wigan

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

People in Wigan have been warned that they could have brown water coming out of their taps. This is due to a leak to a water main on Rose Hill Avenue in Pemberton.

Residents were sent a message from United Utilities to warn them about the 'discoloured water'. READ MORE: Tributes to 'much-loved' schoolgirl after body discovered in woodland It said: "Following damage to our water main, some customers in your area are experiencing discoloured water. "Discolouration can range from a light, straw-yellow colour, to dark brown, and is caused by a disturbance of settled deposits in the main, made up of naturally occurring metals and minerals." Those experiencing discoloured water have been advised to 'not run the hot water tap, use dishwashers, washing machines, or any other appliances which uses your hot water supply'.

The message also provided people with advice on how to clear the problem. "Allow the first incoming cold water tap (usually in the kitchen) to run at a trickle until it clears - this may take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour, so why not collect this water and use it to water your plants? "If you're on a meter, don't worry, that's less than five pence." "We're really sorry for the inconvenience this is causing, and hope this information has been useful," the message ended.

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