Thousands in the UK left without water as schools shut due to ’technical issue’
A fault at a Southern Water supply works has left thousands of people without water and forced schools to close.
Residents in Hampshire have been left high and dry due to a lack of water this morning.
Southern Water, the supplier, has said that the problem is affecting a total of 10 postcodes – SO15, S016, SO40, SO42, SO43, SO45, SO50, SO51, SO52 and SO53.
14 schools have been forced to send pupils home so far today, say Hampshire County Council.
Hampshire is the affected area (Credits: Aisling Legros)
Ten schools have shut so far, including Orchard Junior School (Credits: Aisling Legros)
A map of the areas left without water (Provider: Southern Water)
They said the significant disruption has been caused by a ‘technical issue’ at the Testwood Water Supply Works which has meant for low water pressure and even a loss of water entirely in some areas.
Sandra Hall, a Hampshire resident of 30 years, told the Daily Echo she’s been without hot water all morning.
She said; ‘It’s very strange because my brother lives in Pegasus Close in Southampton and he has no cold water.
‘My brother had some contact from Southern Water but we have no water at all.
‘Thankfully, we had a hot shower last night otherwise it could’ve been a real nightmare.
‘All this right before Christmas we’ve got our fingers and everything else crossed that Southern Water can get it fixed before next week.’
Stephanie Davidovitz, Southern Water’s Head of Water Networks, said: ‘Our Testwood Water Supply has run into some issues.
‘We are working through plans to look at how we can restore supply in some areas but it is an emerging issue.’
Full list of schools shut in Southampton
- North Baddesley Infant School
- Halterworth in the Test Valley
- The New Forest Academy
- Cadland Primary School
- Wildground in the New Forest
- Mountbatten School Romsey
- Orchard Junior School
- Noadswood School
- Greenwood School
- Manor CofE Infants
- Knightwood Primary
- The Romsey School
- Cupernham Junior
- Cupernham Infants
Southern Water have opened a water bottle collection point at Places Leisure Centre in Eastleigh.
However, the roads surrounding the station are currently experiencing heavy traffic as those from around Hampshire flood to Eastleigh to try and source water.
The water supplier are expecting to open a further two collection points in due course.
They have said that vulnerable customers are being distributed water as a priority while supplies are low.
A statement from Southern Water read: ‘We’re really sorry that customers in parts of Southampton, Eastleigh , Romsey and the New Forest are experiencing either low pressure or a loss of water supply.
‘This is being caused by a technical issue at our Testwood Water Supply Works.
‘Our teams are onsite and working hard to fix the fault, however this is going to take time.’
A little over a month ago, residents in Kent, Surrey, East and West Sussex and Hampshire were left without water due to burst mains pipes.
South East Water, the supplier, said they were ‘really sorry’ for the disturbance which forced multiple businesses to close for the day.
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