Petrol or Diesel

Petrol or diesel taste and/or smell may also be described as oil, rubber, aromatic, bituminous, tarry, tar, tarmac, turpentine, white spirit or coal. 

These issues are usually one-off events which can be caused by a spillage of fuel or oil near plastic supply pipes. Over time these substances can pass through the plastic pipes causing problems with the taste and smell of your water.

If there is a petrol or diesel taste and/or smell to the water coming from your kitchen tap then please call our support team on 0345 672 3723. Do not drink the water or use it for cooking purposes until one of our inspectors has visited your home.

If you experience this issue, please check if any of the following common causes apply to you:

• If you have had any work done in your home (for example, on the heating system)
  
  
• If you have any oil fired heating/storage tanks 
  
  
• If you have had any historic oil leaks, i.e. a car or motorbike leaking oil on your drive

Do not drink the water or use it for cooking purposes until we have tested your water supply and confirmed that there are no issues, please call our support team on 0345 672 3723. 

To reduce the chances of petrol or diesel issues, please follow the advice below:

• If you use or store petrol or fuel oil on your property make sure this is kept away from your water supply pipe and consider installing a bund, or using specialist water pipe that is resistant to contamination
  
  
• If you know of any fuel spillages in your area, please contact your local council to ensure these are cleaned up properly.