A critical burst water main in a field next to Oxford Road in Eynsham is causing widespread water supply disruption in West Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds. According to Thames Water, the burst involves an 800mm pipe that feeds the reservoir supplying a large area. Thames Water said it discovered the burst earlier in the week, but it deteriorated more quickly than expected.
The company stated that some customers in OX7 and OX29 areas may experience an interruption to their water supply from early evening on Wednesday. According to Charlie Maynard, MP, about 1,100 homes were without water pressure as of 7:30 PM on Wednesday, mostly in North Witney and North Leigh. Maynard also said there is a strong possibility that more households will be without water from around 11 PM over a wider area including all of Witney, Carterton, and Minster Lovell.
According to reports, more than 12 schools have been forced to close due to the burst water main in Oxfordshire. Thames Water said the repair is complex due to the size of the pipe and its location within a field, with challenging access adding to the time required. The company stated that the damaged pipe was isolated on Wednesday, but excavation proved more difficult than expected due to excessive groundwater.
Thames Water said it fixed the burst water main on Thursday evening, and refilling of the network is underway, with water expected to gradually return to most properties throughout Friday. 5 million litres pumped in so far and more set to be added throughout Friday. Thames Water has opened a bottled water station at Sainsbury's in Witan Way, Witney, and a second station will be available on Thursday.
As a result of these issues, it is not safe for us to remain open.
The company is contacting and proactively delivering bottled water to residents registered on its Priority Services Register. Additional staff are being brought in and special measures are in place to keep hospitals supplied, according to Thames Water. The company noted that when water returns to taps, it may be discolored at first, which is normal and should clear within two to three hours.
Separately, almost 6,000 properties in Kent are experiencing water supply issues due to a burst pipe from Bewl Water Treatment Works in East Sussex. According to South East Water, some properties in West Kent are without water for a third day after a pipe from a treatment works burst on Thursday morning. The company said the burst pipe was fixed on Thursday afternoon, but people on higher land, particularly in Brenchley and Pembury, have yet to see supplies return due to air in the system.
South East Water stated that repairs were completed at about 16:00 BST on Thursday, and water is slowly being returned, with supplies expected back later for affected customers. The company said water will be restored to most of the 5,850 affected properties by the end of Friday. According to South East Water, airlocks in the system caused problems overnight, and technicians are working as quickly as they can to fix the issue.
Bottled water stations have opened at Matfield Village Hall and Tesco Superstore in Pembury, remaining open until 21:00 BST. Deliveries of bottled water to vulnerable customers are being arranged, South East Water said. According to the schools, Lamberhurst St Mary's Church of England VC Primary School and Pembury Primary School have closed due to no access to hot water.
Regulator Ofwat opened an investigation into South East Water in January after repeated water supply failures to thousands of homes.