Tap water pouring into many Keighley homes will be clearer after Yorkshire Water completes a £2 million improvement scheme.

A series of experimental holes are to be drilled throughout the district to investigate the state of the pipes, which could result in water mains being replaced.

A Yorkshire Water spokesperson said: "The mains rehabilitation involves drilling experimental holes to see what the pipes are like. It depends on what they find whether the pipes will be replaced or repaired."

The repairs would involve scraping and cleaning pipes to remove sediment and then relining them.

"It will reduce the number of discolouration incidents because there will be no sediment. The sediment is not harmful, but the water will be clearer," she added.

The company is to hold four customer forums to inform residents and businesses about the work. The first is to be held at East Morton Primary School on Monday. Details of the planned work will be on display from 4pm to 7pm and Yorkshire Water staff will be on hand to discuss issues people wish to raise.

The second forum will be on Tuesday at St Mary's Primary School, St Mary's Road, Riddlesden, between 4pm and 7pm and the third, geared for business people, will be from noon to 3.30pm on Thursday, May 4 in the main hall at Keighley College. The final customer forum will be held on the same day at St Joseph's Hall in Queen's Road, Knowle Park, Keighley, between 4pm and 7pm.

Yorkshire Water project manager Paul Robins said: "Customers will see real benefits in the quality of their tap water."

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