A compound used in the lining of water pipes was responsible for the smelly cloudy tap water experienced by residents in Abingdon yesterday, Thames Water has said.

About 50 residents complained to the company their water was cloudy and smelly.

Thames Water handed out 22,500 bottles of water after a pipe burst in Culham causing low water pressure across Abingdon.

The water company issued a statement this morning saying a “compound” used in the lining of pipes can produced a smelly odour and spread through the water supply when a pipe bursts.

It said the compound posed no health risk to customers and the water was safe to drink.

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David Reynolds, water quality manager at Thames Water said: “This compound is commonly used in the lining inside our water pipes.

"We suspect yesterday’s burst main caused the pipe lining to disperse this element into our water network. This compound, particularly at the levels we have discovered, poses no risk to public health and is not harmful."

He added: “We’re sorry to customers who were alarmed at the changes to their tap water and would like to reassure them our engineers will be working around the clock to push water through the network in order to clear the last of the compound.

"This could take us until tomorrow lunchtime, but we will continue to provide bottled water to customers still experiencing problems. Customers with tap water that appears and smells normal can be certain it is absolutely fine to drink.”

Ian Noble, head of water networks at Thames Water, added “Our teams are working around the clock to fix the burst pipe.

"It’s situated in a tricky location, off the road and in woodland, so our initial work has been to put in an access point for our repair equipment.

"We’re sorry to customers in Abingdon who may see ongoing fluctuations in their water pressure while we fix this pipe. We hope to make good progress this evening and finish the job at the weekend.”

Thames Water said staff would man water stations in three locations until 8pm tonight.