Cambridge: Marleigh water 'contamination' cause still unknown

A "do not use" warning delivered to more than 300 houses as a precaution has now been modified to "do not drink"

The cause of potential water contamination causing hundreds to endure days without washing and drinking water is still not known weeks later, the supplier said.

Independent Water Networks (IWN) said on 18 January it was affecting about 320 homes on the Marleigh development in Fen Ditton on the edge of Cambridge.

John Trounson, its director, said they were "still keen" to find the cause.

Bottled water was supplied and drinking water was restored on 24 January.

Despite samples being taken from across the development, the exact cause of the chemical taste and smell - as residents described it - is still not known.

IWN has been delivering bottled water to affected residents and said it would supply more if necessary

Mr Trounson said IWN staff were still working at the site and said: "Believe me, nobody wants to know [the cause] more than us, so we can ensure nothing like this happens again.

"The tests are ongoing and we continue to sample and investigate on-site so we can find out, and if we're able to, report that back to those that are interested."

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