Frantic Edinburgh tenant tests their tap water and 'immediately calls for help'

Scottish Water is investigating after an Edinburgh tenant claimed water in their flat made them sick for months.

Local DJ and singer Jordy Joans (also known as Jordan Daniels), says they have been unwell 'since last summer' and now water from the taps is being investigated for bacteria.

Jordy, 29, explained how they have been back and forth to GPs and have been on antibiotics regularly, although the root of the issues were never discovered.

READ NEXT-Edinburgh shopkeeper 'pulled out knife during argument with racist customer'

READ NEXT-Edinburgh man, 31, arrested following 'disturbance' on residential street

However, on Friday, April 26, the Leith local decided to test their tap water and ordered a kit online. Within 48 hours, the water turned 'florescent blue' and as instructed on the bottle, when a UV light was shined onto it, they said it showed signs of containing bacteria.

Edinburgh Council confirmed to Edinburgh Live workers were sent to test the water on Tuesday and samples have been taken to investigate. The council has also provided bottled water to tenants as a precaution.

Scottish Water is sending staff to take a sample of the water to test on Wednesday.

Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.

Speaking to Edinburgh Live, Jordy said: "Everything started last year. Water was bubbling from the drains and into my bath and the smell through the stairwell was awful. Edinburgh Council came and found there was sewage outside around the trees.

"Around this time I was getting episodes of diarrhea, urine infections and I was losing a lot of weight. I'm disabled, I've got cystic fibrosis so I am at risk. The trees outside were cut and the pipes were flushed out around December.

"But I've been ill ever since. I'm still getting gut issues every five to six weeks, there is still a horrible smell coming from the drains, it's like rotten food. I've had UTIs and I'm still getting antibiotics regularly.

They added: "It is so draining to have to deal with this and not know what's causing it. Not even my doctors could find out why.

Jordy ordered a kit from Simplex Health that tests water for bacteria. If the water turns fluorescent blue when a UV light is pointed to it, the kit says the water is 'positive' - meaning bacteria is present.

"It went bright blue!" Jordy said. "After contacting my housing officer, the council sent a member of staff.

"Samples have been taken and I need to wait three to 10 days for results to come and Scottish Water are coming to take samples on Wednesday.

"If it comes back positive, I think I'll feel a sense of relief. I'll finally know why I've been ill for so long. I'll feel less insane because when you do keep getting ill, I think some doctors might think I'm making it up and have been a bit dismissive.

"I've really been burnt out, I can't work full time anyway because of my disability but I have still lost work because I've been sick. It hasn't been an easy time. I just want an answer."

A Scottish Water spokesperson said: “Scottish Water takes concerns about drinking water quality very seriously.

"We undertake a comprehensive regulatory programme of sampling with hundreds of thousands of analytical tests carried out at our accredited laboratories every year.

"We have arranged to take a sample at the property this week and where residents have concerns about the quality of their water, we encourage them to contact us as soon as possible.”

Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, Councillor Jane Meagher, said: “I’m so sorry to hear about the issues our tenant has been experiencing. The health and safety of our tenants is always of utmost importance.”

“We’ve contacted the tenant and arranged to test the water today. We’ll provide bottled water while we work to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”

Got a story? Get in touch katie.williams@reachplc.com