East Flanders (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Drinking water supplied by Farys could have unusual odour or taste during the following days for residents in West and East Flanders areas. The strange smell or taste in the drinking water originates from maintenance activities conducted on the pipeline connecting Brakel to Bruges.
The drinking water of West and East Flanders residents faces odour and taste disturbances, according to the alert issued by water company Farys. The water taste and odour problems appeared because repairs took place on the Brakel-Bruges pipeline. Farys representative Arno Morsa confirms that the water stays safe for consumption, though customers may encounter brief disturbances in quality. Workers started the maintenance operation at 09:00 and are projected to continue it through a 24-hour period, using alternate supply routes to keep disruptions at bay.
The maintenance activities lead to decreased water pressure alongside taste and smell transformations in drinking water supplies. Arno Morsa describes the usage of water from various locations combined with temporary pipe redirection to cause possible changes in normal water properties.
“During this period, the local network will continue to be fed as much as possible via alternative supply lines. But there is a chance that you will experience minor inconvenience until tomorrow,” says Arno Morsa of Farys. “And that inconvenience can range from reduced water pressure to possibly a changed taste and/or smell of the drinking water.”
Morsa emphasizes that there is no risk to public health. “The water temporarily comes from somewhere else and because it goes through different pipes, there is a chance that the taste is not what you are used to. But that of course does not mean that it would therefore be undrinkable.”
Even after the works, you can still experience inconvenience, says Morsa. “For example, there may be fine air bubbles in the water temporarily, which can give the water a milky color. But if you put that water in your glass, that color will eventually disappear automatically. And even then, the water remains drinkable.”
What is the background of drinking water maintenance in Flanders?
Farys operates as the water service provider for Flanders through regular maintenance efforts that safeguard both the reliability and safety of the water supply. The regional water infrastructure consists of extensive pipeline networks that need regular maintenance updates for operational efficiency. In 2022, Farys operated a 15,000-kilometer pipeline infrastructure that provided drinking water to 2.5 million Flanders residents.
Essential maintenance tasks like the Brakel to Bruges pipeline installation protect future pipeline reliability and water purity. Water quality is affected in taste or odor when these works modify water routes and sources. Farys maintains a successful practice of communicating directly with residents before and during maintenance work by using digital platforms to deliver real-time information.
