Graham Barnfield went to run a bath when he discovered the unusual water colour which left a “grainy sediment” at the bottom of his tub.
Graham does not want to use the water until a chemical test is carried out.(Image: Edinburgh Live)
An Edinburgh man has told how he felt “nauseous and hungover” after yellow water came out of his tap when he went to run a bath.
Graham Barnfield, a council tenant at high-rise flats Wauchope House on Greendykes Road, went to run a bath on Wednesday afternoon, July 9, when he discovered the unusual water colour which left a “grainy sediment” at the bottom of his tub.
When Graham smelt the water, he says he was left feeling hungover and sick for several hours and after putting his hand in it, it left an oily and greasy residue which wouldn’t scrub off, Edinburgh Live reports.
The 42-year-old immediately called the council to report what he feared was hazardous chemicals in the water and stopped using all water sources in his flat as a result.
Graham said the water initially made him feel hungover and sick.(Image: Edinburgh Live)
After numerous calls including to the emergency helpline at the council, a water quality officer was sent round to inspect the water on Thursday and identified some light sediment coming from the hot bath tap.
Following inspection the officer insisted that the water was safe to use. But Graham has demanded a chemical test be carried out before he feels safe to use any of the water in his flat.
Graham said: “They didn’t take it as an extreme emergency given my symptoms from smelling the water. I contacted the emergency switchboard number but was told nobody would be round on Wednesday.
“It only appears to be affecting the bathroom but when you’re dealing with potential chemicals, is all the water really clean? I can’t have a wash, I can’t use my washing machine and I’m afraid to drink the water.
A grainy sediment was left at the bottom of the bathtub.(Image: Edinburgh Live)
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“Oily residue remained on my hand for four hours despite cleaning. My symptoms could have been placebo or stress, I understand that, but I gave it a while and it does seem to pinpoint the involvement of chemicals.”
Despite a water quality officer visiting Graham’s flat and assuring him the initial colour and sediment at the bottom of the tub was nothing to worry about, he insisted a check for chemicals is carried out.
However, a sample is unable to be taken until Monday and it is unknown how long the results will take to come back.
“He said it seems perfectly safe and when I refused he said a chemical test wouldn’t be carried out until Monday.
“They are digging their heels in but in the meantime I don’t want to use the water. I have barely eaten since Wednesday and haven’t been able to wash. My family live several hundred miles away so I can’t use their water.”