RESIDENTS in Harwich have hit out at a confirmed increase in chlorine in the water supply claiming its causing dry skin and tastes bad.

Geoff Bull, from Harwich, said he and his family all noticed the change in taste and even replaced a kettle thinking that was the cause before being told about the chlorine.

He said: “Unknown to me, my father, who has a stomach problem so has to be very careful with his food and drink, did exactly the same.

“The water company admitted they have increased the chlorine in the water and they have no plans to reduce the chlorine.

“They said ‘don’t worry it is safe and you will get used to it’.

“I do worry and I don’t see why I should get used to it.

“We have never had this before.

“Myself and others are now getting very dry skin from having to bath and shower in highly-chlorinated water - how can this be safe and not effecting our health, especially people like my father and very young children.”

But a spokesman for Affinity Water said chlorine has been used to disinfectant drinking water for more than 100 years and is not harmful to health at the levels it is added.

She said: “These levels are routinely monitored at our treatment works, during distribution and at customers’ properties.

“Results from these samples confirm the drinking water is of an extremely high standard in the Tendring area.

“Historically, there have been very low levels of chlorine in the water supplied to the Tendring area.

“To ensure the water that we provide remains of a high standard, we slightly increased the amount of chlorine to bring it in line with our other supply areas.

“It is likely any difference in taste is due to chlorine reacting with internal plumbing fittings, which will subside over time.”

Thorpe Parish Council chairman Dan Land complained about the taste of water and the company’s chief executive is now set to visit the village to discuss the issue.

He said: “49,000 homes are affected and a lot of people are talking about it.”

Affinity Water said anyone concerned about the taste of their water can find out more at affinitywater.co.uk/drinkingwater.