BOTTLED water is being delivered to a Kempsey home because sand is contaminating the piped supply.

David Price says his family has put up with the inconvenience for six weeks, but are losing their patience with Severn Trent.

The water company is now supplying Mr Price with bottled water so his son can take life-saving medicine.

"I've come to the end of my tether," said Mr Price, of Windmill Lane.

"It's gone far enough. They keep fobbing me off, saying something's going to be done, but nothing has been.

"Every day you fill your bath up and it's like taking a bath on the beach."

Under pressure

He said he had been told that it could be soil that has been under pressure.

"One person told me it was because they were laying a new water pipe," Mr Price added.

"They're supposed to have flushed the system three times, but then they deny saying that.

"They're giving me the run-around and I don't know where to turn.

"We've spent £80 on bottled water."

Severn Trent has started to deliver the family and their neighbours with bottled water, but Mr Price says he wants the problem to be fixed once and for all.

"The sand has messed my washing machine up and the shower has packed in."

Severn Trent Water said the problem was due to a new water pipe being laid.

"We put in a new pipe to tackle a series of bursts along a particular stretch," said Kate Cox, spokeswoman for Severn Trent.

"That disturbed some naturally occurring deposits that had built up in the water supply.

"We recognise that it is unacceptable and we apologise for any inconvenience."

Severn Trent will be carrying out another flushing programme during the next fortnight.

"Hopefully this will cure the problem once and for all," said Ms Cox.

"The residents should notice a difference immediately."