A major incident has been declared after an issue at a water treatments work left thousands without water.
Thames Water have apologised to people in Godalming, Surrey, as the work continues in an attempt to solve the problem.
Around 13,500 people are affected by the issue in GU1, GU2, GU3, GU5, GU6, GU7 and GU8. Residents have been told to collect bottles of water from Crown Court Car Park in Godalming and Artington Park and Ride, Old Portsmouth Rd, Guildford, as the problem persists.
But people have since reported that these sites have run out of water supplies.
Thames Water said in a statement: “We’re really sorry about the continuing water supply problems. This follows issues caused by Storm Ciaran at Shalford water treatment works.
“If you’re affected, we’ve set up bottled water stations. Our engineers remain on site, working hard to get things back to normal. We’re also using tankers to pump water into our supply network.
“We know how worrying and inconvenient this is and thank you for your patience.” The firm added tankers are being used to pump water into the pipe system to bring the problem under control.
To make matters worse for homeowners, several people have shared stories of long queues at the sites used for water bottles, where it is reported they have ran out of supplies.
One person said on social media: “The bottled water in Crown Court car park ran out at 10:30 today. Godalming gridlocked so no resupplies can be delivered.” Another user added: “No water for 24hrs in Godalming and apparently you’ve run out of water to give out. What’s being done?!”
Another frustrated person added: “We are queuing at Artington, the queue is massive and we move a car length roughly every 5 mins. We are waiting to get water for several neighbours who don’t have cars, but I don’t understand why it’s so slow. Maybe they need more people here to help load cars?”
Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said on social media: “I am aware of the low / no water supply affecting many residents in my constituency – including much of Godalming and surrounding villages – I am very concerned. I am speaking with CEO / MD of Thames Water and I will update you shortly.”
He said in an update: “They currently have 13,500 customers off supply and expect a further 6,500 to lose supply shortly. The site controls at Shalford Water Treatment Works have been reset and they’re testing turbidity at low water production volumes. If this is successful, they can increase production to a level that will restore supply. TW are tankering water to ensure that they can support hospitals and bottled water stations remain open. Independently I gather pressure at Crown Court Car Park easing somewhat.
“Just been updated by Al Cochrane, TW CEO. They are resetting and reprogramming control system which should be finished around now. If successful they will be able to restore supply to affected customers. Artington now open for water supply so that should relieve congestion. Good that SCC have now declared this a major incident. Next question is what the impact will be on schools tomorrow if it is not resolved. Also getting messages from pubs that have lost trade from closing on a busy day – big big impact on many people.”
