PostedJuly 6, 2022, 7:38 PM
Although drinkable, the water coming out of the taps of four Vaud towns is not to the taste of its inhabitants. The problem should be fixed this fall.
Bussigny water, in October 2021.
PATRICK MARTIN/24HEURES
Since August 2019, residents of Bussigny, Boussens, Cheseaux-sur-Lausanne and Etagnières complain that the water coming out of their taps is yellowish in color. They say it doesn’t smell good and have to buy bottles.
This problem had been identified as being due to the connection to the water network of the City of Lausanne, because the municipalities concerned had to cut off their sources, polluted by the maligned chlorothalonil.
However, the blue gold of Lausanne, less calcareous than that which previously passed through the pipes, takes with it particles of rust. If the water is considered drinkable according to the authorities, the samples taken show an iron content sometimes 5 times higher than that mentioned in the federal standard.
Compliant and safe
Following the first complaints, the City of Lausanne explains that it has implemented a number of measures. But in view of the persistence of the problem in certain private installations, the Water Service communicated on Wednesday that it will put in place a slight correction of the pH of the water distributed in these four municipalities.
This leveling will be obtained by adding a small amount of sodium hydroxide and will correct the calcium-carbon balance of the water. This will limit or even prevent the dissolution of limestone in the metal pipes. Implementation will take place this fall at the Saint-Sulpice drinking water production plant.
The City of Lausanne insists that this operation poses no risk to the health of consumers and that it complies with the requirements in force.
(Su)