Residents are being advised that their tap water may be discoloured after a water main burst today (Tuesday).

The pipe burst on Baldock Road in Letchworth GC at 5am and took engineers several hours to fix.

The work was carried out by water supplier Affinity Water.

A statement on the company’s website said: “Should you experience any discoloured or aerated water, which is not uncommon following a mains interruption, we recommend that you leave a mains fed tap running for approximately 5-10 minutes.

“Discoloration of the water is caused by small particles of iron which are within the mains and disturbed during interruptions. Cloudy water is caused by air that becomes trapped in the mains, neither of these are harmful to your health.”

The burst main had been causing traffic delays until it was fixed at around 5pm.

A spokesman for Affinity Water said: “We would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused while we were repairing a burst 5in water main today in Baldock Road, Letchworth.

“The repair has now been completed and the final reinstatement of the road will take place tomorrow using stop and go traffic boards.”

There have been no reports of water discolouration from residents living in the area.

Anyone who experiences it should ring 0345 3572407.