Problems with your water

Sometimes you might notice your water looks, tastes or smells different.

Do you have low pressure or no water at all?

Every day, our teams work to ensure your water is not only clean, but looks and tastes great. Sometimes you might notice your water looks, tastes or smells different.
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Does your water look, taste or smell unusual?

If you notice your water looks dirty or discoloured, the cause is usually due to maintenance or repair work being undertaken on the pipes that supply your house.

How we manage incidents

In an incident we always act immediately and will regularly communicate with you about what's happening. Find out what you can expect from us in the event of an unexpected water related incident or emergency situation.

My water looks different
My water looks different

If you notice your water looks dirty or discoloured, the cause is usually due to maintenance or repair work being undertaken on the pipes that supply your house.

I have cloudy/milky water

I have brown/orange water

I have blue/pink water

My water has a bad taste or smell
My water has a bad taste or smell

The water we supply comes from a variety of sources including rivers, boreholes, wells and springs. Each source has its own characteristic taste depending on the type and concentration of its natural mineral composition.

My water has a chlorine taste/smell

My water has a fuel taste/smell

My water has a metallic taste/smell

My water has a woody taste/smell

My water has a musty taste/smell

My water has a TCP taste/smell

Is there fluoride in the water?
Is there fluoride in the water?
In some parts of the UK, hexafluorosilicic acid is added to the water to artificially increase the level of fluoride in the drinking water. Bristol Water does not currently and has never added hexafluorosilicic acid to the drinking water we supply. Fluoride occurs naturally in rocks and soils. As water moves through the rocks and soils a small amount of fluoride can enter the water.

Find out more about naturally occurring fluoride

What is flushing?
What is flushing?
Flushing is a process we use to clean out external water pipes. Sometimes this will make your water look cloudy or milky, but this is caused by millions of tiny air bubbles in the supply.

Find out more about flushing

Why is my water hard?
Why is my water hard?

As a natural resource, not all water is the same. Whether you have hard or soft water will depend on the geographic factors within the area in which you live.

Reduce the hardness of my water

My water looks different

If you notice your water looks dirty or discoloured, the cause is usually due to maintenance or repair work being undertaken on the pipes that supply your house.

I have cloudy/milky water

I have brown/orange water

I have blue/pink water

My water has a bad taste or smell

The water we supply comes from a variety of sources including rivers, boreholes, wells and springs. Each source has its own characteristic taste depending on the type and concentration of its natural mineral composition.

My water has a chlorine taste/smell

My water has a fuel taste/smell

My water has a metallic taste/smell

My water has a woody taste/smell

My water has a musty taste/smell

My water has a TCP taste/smell

Is there fluoride in the water?
In some parts of the UK, hexafluorosilicic acid is added to the water to artificially increase the level of fluoride in the drinking water. Bristol Water does not currently and has never added hexafluorosilicic acid to the drinking water we supply. Fluoride occurs naturally in rocks and soils. As water moves through the rocks and soils a small amount of fluoride can enter the water.

Find out more about naturally occurring fluoride

What is flushing?
Flushing is a process we use to clean out external water pipes. Sometimes this will make your water look cloudy or milky, but this is caused by millions of tiny air bubbles in the supply.

Find out more about flushing

Why is my water hard?

As a natural resource, not all water is the same. Whether you have hard or soft water will depend on the geographic factors within the area in which you live.

Reduce the hardness of my water