Cleaning program hopes to dissolve water woes

Australind and Eaton residents hope a planned pipe-cleaning program will resolve their dirty water issues.

The Water Corporation received about 100 complaints from residents in the Australind and Eaton areas since the start of last week.

This follows Water Minister Bill Marmion’s announcement that the Water Corporation would bring forward a major pipe-cleaning program scheduled for the end of winter.

The program will see six storage tanks and more than 50km of pipe cleaned from start to finish over several weeks.

In the meantime, localised pipe cleaning started this week in an effort to reduce the impact of brown water.

Kingston resident Charmaine New said she was sceptical the program would work.

‘‘It’s nice to know they’re doing something and hopefully they will fix any faults that are there,’’ she said.

‘‘It’s been getting much more dirty and when it’s not brown the chlorine smell is extremely bad.

‘‘I think I’ll just believe it when I see it.’’

Over the past month, frustrated residents, who have had clothes and appliances ruined by the brown water, have campaigned to have the issue resolved.

To add to residents' woes, the chlorine level in the water was slightly higher over the past week and many residents complained of skin irritations and stomach problems.

‘‘My hair has been really dry and quite itchy and my husband has had continuous stomach complaints,’’ Australind resident Michele Brookes said.

‘‘I believe it is the water and it’s quite concerning.’’

Corpor a t ion r egiona l bus ine s s manager Scott Moorhead said chlorine was used to disinfect the drinking water.

‘‘Chlorine levels can vary and have been slightly higher than an average week recently, but still well within the normal range,’’ he said.

‘‘To date, we have not received any calls from people who believe they are ill after consuming the discoloured water.’’

Mr Moorhead said the corporation would work hard to minimise waste during the flushing which is expected to resolve the water issues.

Residents with stained laundry or who have a compensation claim should call the corporation’s help line on 131 375.