FURIOUS residents have slammed water bosses claiming their tap water tastes like disinfectant.

Householders say they have had to put up with the foul-tasting water supply for more than four months and it still hasn't been corrected.

But North West Water bosses say the water's taste has been affected by high levels of chlorine which was added to the supply to kill bacteria.

Carole Mee has complained to North West Water's customer services three times about the foul-tasting water.

"It's just not good enough. When you turn on your tap you expect to be able to drink the water but we're just never sure whether we can or not," said Mrs Mee, of Windmill Lane, Penketh.

"They put the water charges up but we can't drink their water. Something has got to be done to sort the problem out quickly.

"I can't make cups of tea or coffee because the water tastes like a bottle of disinfectant. It's absolutely disgusting at times."

A North West Water spokesman said the chlorine levels had been increased at the Huntington water treatment works near Chester.

She added: "We have received quite a lot of complaints about the taste particularly in the first few months of the year.

"There is no harm in the extra chlorine levels but obviously it is off-putting to our customers when they try to drink it.

"If people pour water into a bowl and let it settle the smell and taste will disappear. The situation is still being monitored."

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