SA Water Outer Metro Service Delivery Manager Steve Rose says customers supplied water from Middle River with properties in Kingscote, Brownlow, Parndana and some country lands will start to notice the quality of their water gradually improve over the coming days.

“While the recent high level of manganese recorded in Middle River has not posed a health risk, it has still been noticeable to our customers where it has stained washing and had an unusual smell and taste to the water,” Mr Rose says.

“Our water quality experts and regional operations team on Kangaroo Island have been working around the clock to determine the best way to deal with the elevated manganese.

“In combating this water quality issue, we have made temporary modifications to the Middle River

Reservoir pumping system and the water coming into the supply tanks is now clearing up.

“This better quality water may take a few days to make its way through the system, however we anticipate our customers’ water supply should improve significantly by next week.”

It is possible manganese which has settled in the SA Water supply pipes could be disturbed by sudden changes in water flow and come through people’s taps on occasion, however this should clear up in the next few weeks.

Mr Rose confirmed the manganese should not corrode pipes or damage hot water systems.

“Recently I advised our customers who had noticed a discolouration of their water to use an alternative source, such as rainwater, where possible for clothes washing until the manganese levels returned to normal. I would recommend people continue to do this until they start to notice the water colour clear up,” Mr Rose says.

“I apologise to our affected customers for this inconvenience and thank them for their patience while we have worked to overcome it.”

“If customers have any further queries, or if they notice the colour of your water does not clear up in the coming weeks, then they can phone our Customer Service Centre on 1300 880 337 and we will follow it up.”

The Middle River dam is at 75 per cent capacity, or 9.5m high.