18/10/2025
I am updating on the WhatsApp group but also posting in here regarding the situation if no water .
Please read below as it is very informative .
I wanted to post this following several questions raised after my earlier update. Many people have asked whether they should start flushing their domestic systems now that the water supply has returned, or as soon as it does, but remains restricted. The answer is yes — controlled flushing is important at this stage. It helps prevent bacterial proliferation and stagnation within your domestic water system while the main supply is still being worked on.
To be absolutely clear, flushing does not make the water safe for drinking, bathing, or general domestic use. It is simply a measure to keep your system healthy and moving. The water company must first complete their works and verification testing before they officially confirm the supply as safe and fit for consumption. Only after this announcement should normal water use resume. Even then, I would recommend continuing daily flushing for several days to ensure all areas of your system are fully refreshed with clean, potable water.
Why Flushing Matters
When water sits unused in pipes, tanks, or outlets, it becomes stagnant. Stagnant water warms up and loses its disinfectant residual, allowing bacteria such as Legionella and Pseudomonas to multiply.
Flushing helps to:
• Prevent stagnation and bacterial growth.
• Draw fresher water from the network into your property.
• Keep internal surfaces cleaner by reducing biofilm formation.
Safe Flushing Guidance
Because the water is not yet confirmed as safe, flushing must be carried out with care:
• Do not use showers, spray taps, or any outlets that create fine mist or aerosol.
• Flush each outlet (cold and hot taps, toilets, etc.) for at least 5–10 minutes, ensuring water discharges directly to drain without splashing.
• Work methodically through your property, noting which outlets have been flushed and when.
• Do not use the water for drinking, washing, cooking, or cleaning food-contact surfaces.
Why Boiling Is Not Recommended
Although boiling water kills most bacteria, it does not remove turbidity (cloudiness), sediment, or chemical contamination that may be present following flood-related incidents or network disruptions. These contaminants can include hydrocarbons, metals, and organic material from soil ingress.
For this reason, the water company has advised against boiling as a safety measure until full testing confirms that the supply is chemically and bacteriologically safe. Their laboratories must first complete this verification before issuing an official all-clear.
How Often to Flush
• Carry out daily flushing during the restriction period.
• Pay particular attention to outlets in seldom-used areas such as guest bathrooms or utility sinks.
• Continue until formal confirmation is issued that the supply is fully safe for all domestic use.
Flushing now, or as soon as your water supply is restored, helps to control bacterial growth and maintain system hygiene while we await full clearance. It does not make the water safe to drink, but it is an important preventative step to protect your property’s water systems.
Once the water authority confirms the supply as potable, carry out one final system-wide flush to bring clean, treated water throughout your system before returning to normal use.
