BBC's Dr Punam shares 'blue-green algae' tap water warning after 'weird taste' reports

BBC's Dr Punam shares 'blue-green algae' tap water warning after 'weird taste' reports The GP said that, if it had a certain taste or smell, you should contact your water company immediately BBC Morning Live's Dr Punam Krishan has told people what to do if they detect a strange taste to their tap water. The GP, who was appearing as a guest on the BBC show, said that there had been reports across the country of tap water taking on an unusual taste. The taste was reported as being 'an earthy, musty taste or smell', but Dr Punam said that it was nothing to worry about and that it was actually linked to the exceptionally warm summer we have had. She explained that the hot weather and lack of rain meant that algae has grown far more rapidly than usual. This includes in reservoirs, which is how we store or drinking water. "We've been hearing from people up and down the country who have been reporting a weird taste to their tap water - an earthy, musty taste or smell," Dr Punam said. "The weather has a lot to do with it. We've had a long, hot summer - which was lovely - but not a lot of rain, and when you have that blend of weather, it can cause more algae and bacteria - commonly known as blue-green algae - to grow in our lakes and our reservoirs. "Now, people who run alongside reservoirs or lakes may have seen warnings for dog-walkers, because certain types of this algae can be harmful to animals like sheep or dogs, but even for us too, it can be harmful to our skin. "The thing with the blue-green algae is that it releases compounds into the water and that is what essentially you can taste - that earthy smell or flavour to our water. This doesn't mean that we have algae coming out of our taps. We are very lucky in the UK that our water is treated to the point where any toxins are removed before they get to us. Our water is very heavily monitored as well to reach drinking standards. "It is just to reassure people that it is nothing sinister going on. It can be something simple like it has been sitting in the pipes for a long time and the pipes have been and that can allow naturally occurring bacteria to grow and that can cause a strange taste as well. We have to remind ourselves that we are very fortunate in the UK to have incredibly safe water in the UK. We have very strict standards so that is very reassuring. A lot goes on behind the scenes before we can drink it." Isn't blue-green algae harmful? Blue-green algae, technically known as cyanobacteria, is a collection of microscopic organisms that are naturally present in lakes and streams. In the right conditions - warm weather and shallow water - it can double in size in 7-14 days. And with man-made climate change making things warmer, it can grow more quickly than ever. As to whether it is harmful, it depends as some is and some is not. If you are exposed to large amount of it, it can cause diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting, skin, eye or throat irritation; and allergic reactions or breathing difficulties. It is especially dangerous do animals and livestock. This is why there are often warnings to dog owners near canals and rivers. Dr Punam's warning "A milder earthy flavour is nothing to worry about. There are some tastes or smells you should be worried about - for example, a bitter or metallic taste. That could be picking up the copper from the pipes. Some people say they can taste a bit of an antiseptic, TCP flavour. Obviously, that would not be nice to drink but that can be plastic coming from the rubber or the plastic that comes from the fittings in you plumbing or your kettle. "If you use a water softener or filter and notice a chemical or salty taste, I would say dismantle everything and check that the fitting has been fitted and regularly checked over. "There are some that I would say absolutely do not go near and contact your water company - solvent, petrol fuel, you must call your water company and get that checked out. "Similarly, for sewage or anything rotting. A good test is to fill up a clean glass of water, walk away from the sink then smell it. If there is no smell of sewage or anything rotten, you know it is coming from the drains. If it is coming from the water, contact your water company and get that looked at."