Vitoria lifts tap water advice after a day of turbidity caused by a burst pipe

Vitoria-Gasteiz City Council on the afternoon of Sunday, November 15 lifted its advice against using tap water, after AMVISA, the municipal water company, confirmed the water's good sanitary condition with tests obtained in the morning, according to EITB (published on Orain) and Norte Exprés.

The advice had been in force since Saturday, November 14 because of a turbidity episode caused by the rupture of a 300-millimetre supply main on Comandante Izarduy street, in the San Cristóbal neighbourhood, according to those sources. The burst flooded part of the Paseo de la Zumaquera, ground-floor premises and garages, and required firefighters to intervene, according to ZUK.

According to ZUK, the rupture reversed the flow of water in some sections of the network and carried sediment from the pipes to the taps, with turbidity in areas such as Ariznabarra, Lakua, San Martín, Mariturri and Avenida Gasteiz. AMVISA initially ruled out any health risk, but the council asked residents, as a precaution, not to use tap water until further notice, according to EITB. Bottled water sold out in practically every shop in the area, according to the same source.

The council warns that traces of turbidity may remain in the internal plumbing of buildings and residential blocks, and recommends running the tap for a few minutes until the water comes out clear, according to EITB and Norte Exprés. The cause of the rupture has not been reported.