FOR over a year I have found the smell of tap water unpleasant.

Some folk don't detect it; others do, but think it is chlorine.

To me the smell is flatter and duller than chlorine, and is particularly noticeable when water is flowing through household appliances.

It is not just in Ledbury, either.

I have experienced the phenomenon in Redditch, Birmingham, the Snowdon area, and Aberystwyth. Also in motorway facilities at cafes/services en route to these destinations.

Up to now a relatively clean smell in Ledbury has become more sewage-like in undertone, and is very unpleasant at its worst. It fluctuates.

Water is precious, so it seems that we should be really clear on the cause and establish what, if anything, is to be done.

As far as I know I have suffered no ill-effects from drinking it or washing in it, apart from suffering the unpleasant smell, though I am glad of a water purifier which makes tap water noticeably more palatable.

Sadly, I may be stripping out useful chemicals which confer health benefits too. I await a response from Welsh Water.

Diana Veasey

Ledbury