Adelaide family shocked to discover they'd been drinking recycled water meant for the toilet

An Adelaide family made the gruesome discovery that they were drinking dirty, recycled water meant for toilet flushing.

The family from the northeastern Adelaide suburb of Lightsview are said to be suffering health problems as a result of drinking the dirty water.

A resident at the property alerted authorities of a "dirty water" issue in 2015 but it was only fixed last week, News Corp reports.

Drinking water supplier SA Water and recycled water provider Water Utilities Australia confirmed the complaint and an investigation is now underway “as a matter of priority”.

“This customer reported a dirty water complaint to SA Water in June 2015," an SA Water spokesperson said.

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“A network technician attended the property and flushed water through the main, in an attempt to dislodge any existing sediment which may have been causing the dirty water.”

Water Utilities Australia undertook "minor maintenance on the recycled water network in Lightsview" on December 6 this year.

“As a result of this work they were made aware of a property at Lightsview in which the drinking water service inside the house were being supplied with recycled water,” the statement reads.

“SA Water were immediately notified of the cross-connection and an SA Water service crew arrived a short time later ... supplies to the affected property are now correct."

The company clarified that it appears to be "an isolated incident".