Posted by I have no wish to cause alarm. However, for some time now, we have been unable to consume drinking water from the taps in our property in Sotogrande Marina. This has been not only due to the 'chemical' 'metal' taste but also because of the heavy calcium deposits and high hard water levels.
We were assured by the Sotogrande water company that the tests they have made, proves the water fit for drinking. However, we employed our own water tests which revealed that this is only just so, not all chemical levels fell in the middle of the 'safe water guide',many were only just inside the safe band. It is true to say that none of the tests revealed the organic or chemical levels were in the danger guide.
When the water turned brown (for us it was bad) we contacted the water company who assured us that they knew about it and had carried out tests that had declared it fit for consumption. We have since made our own investigations which categorically declared drinking brown water is likely to be contaminated with rust or excess pipe maintenance debris and that it must not be consumed or cooked with.
A few weeks ago, our water supply was suspended whilst maintenance was carried out to repair the water softener (I took that to mean to 'fit' a water softener; due to the fact that water has always been excessively hard here - due to high levels of calcium and magnesium present.
We were relieved to find that, following the water softener work, our water was totally clear, there was evidence too that it was much softer. It also tasted very good - we have never experienced that before in Sotogrande. That good news quickly subsided after just a week!
Over the past week, the water from every faucet, has been extremely cloudy - more than we've seen before. We were assured it was drinkable. We continued to shop-buy cold drinking water but boiled tap water before using it in the kettle or for cooking. Alas, it has ruined yet another kettle and, what we believe to be calcium, sits like heavy chalk on the top of the boiled water.
It has worsened this week. following every cup of tea, since Monday, we have felt unwell with severe indigestion and heartburn. (Whilst boiling water kills or inactivates viruses, bacteria, protozoa, it is not sterilization and is more accurately characterized as pasteurization. It also does not kill harmful chemicals)
We have taken advice which is to refrain drinking or cooking with any more Sotogrande water. We have ordered a further test. The water company have promised to visit the community pipes and investigate. Professional health workers have suggested we employ a team of experts ourselves to test the water in various sections of the pipework.
I apologize for this lengthy message and I hope I haven't caused alarm but the fewer of us that fall sick, the better - I just wanted to be cautious.
I would be most interested if any other member of the community has experienced similar, as that will help us to decide if it is more local to us than just the port/marina.
Thank you.
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