THE Larnaca Water Board yesterday promised an immediate investigation after a local resident complained that her drinking water was unfit for consumption.
Elly Rousou, who moved into an apartment complex in the town 15 years ago, told the Cyprus Mail that she noticed a problem two years ago.
“When I turn on the drinking water tap, mucky, dark-coloured water comes out,” she explained. “I hate to think what the consequences would be if my family actually drank the water. I wouldn’t even consider using it for cooking with, never mind drinking. I’m wondering whether other people in Larnaca are drinking the tap water. How safe is it and is it ever tested?”
The mother of three said that the dark-coloured water does not come out every day, but periodically. “There does not seem to be a pattern to it.”
Rousou, who lives on the ground floor of the five-story building, said everybody in the block drinks from water machines in their homes.
“I have checked with two of my neighbours above on the fourth and fifth floors and to my surprise, it looks as though I am the only one with the cloudy water so far,” she said.
“Unfortunately I have had no time to get to the root of the problem as I have a 20-month-old baby to look after, another 10-year-old too and a daughter who has just started college. Perhaps the pipes are old and rusty or dirt has somehow found its way into the supply.”
Aristides Adamou, head of the Larnaca Water Board’s Technical Department, said he would be immediately sending engineers to the apartment in order to find out what is causing the discolouration.
“This is the first complaint I have received and I cannot speculate on the cause without checking it out first,” he said.
He wondered why it has taken so long for Rousou to complain, saying she should have contacted the Water Board as soon as she noticed there was a problem.
Regarding the quality of the water, Adamou explained that, “it is checked four times a month by the government laboratory. Water samples are taken from all areas of the town, from reservoirs and various other sources. Results have clearly shown that the water is potable and complies with European Union regulations.”
