Please help - water undrinkable

Sharra

Hi
I'm hoping someone can offer some advice as I don't know what to do.
My tap water is tasting very stale and is undrinkable, its been like this for the last couple of days. I have been onto Midkent water who have told me that the earliest they can send someone out to take a sample is next Thursday.
In the meantime, even apart from the fact that it tastes too bad to drink, I don't know if my water is safe. I have bought a few litres of bottled water but its obviously going to be very expensive for me to keep buying it.
My neighbours don't seem to have a problem, but we've had no plumbing works or done anything that could cause this.
I just don't know what to do next. Please could someone offer me some advice?

cattie

If you have any doubts about your water then boiling it may be an alternative to buying water. Failing that, aren't any of your neighbours willing to fill buckets or water containers for you on a daily basis until the water authority are able to test your supply.

And talking of supply, does your water come from a tank or is is direct from mains?

Canucklehead

And talking of supply, does your water come from a tank or is is direct from mains?

My first thought was just that.
If you run a lot of water can you hear a tank filling somewhere?
Go to the tap you are taking this water from. Put your finger on the outlet or block it in some way , as long as it's firmly sealed . Turn on the tap. Does it force it's way out or can you hold it back?
If you can hold it back you are most likely drinking stored water DO NOT CONTINUE TO DRINK IT. As the neighbour's water seems ok I think this likely.
Corgi Guy.

Sharra

There are 2 tanks in the loft, a big and a little - I'm assuming one is for the hot water and one is for the upstairs taps? I've just sent OH up to have a look at them - apparently the little one looks really grim inside whereas the big one is sealed with a properly fitting lid. I've been told downstairs taps usually run directly off the mains and there is a stopcock near it so I'm guessing thats true.

TimBuckTeeth

The kitchen tap should be direct from the mains supply, if you are not on a water meter then try leaving it running for 10 minutes to flush the pipes through. Also turn on outside tap if you have one and flush the toilet.