The latest storm to hit the UK, Storm Ciarán, has left thousands of people without access to clean water in Surrey. The severe weather conditions have caused problems at a treatment works, leaving at least 13,500 homes in Guildford, Godalming, and surrounding areas without water or suffering from low pressure. An additional 6,500 homes were also expected to lose supply later in the day.
Thames Water, the company responsible for the water supply, has issued a statement apologizing for the inconvenience and assuring customers that their engineers are working hard to rectify the situation. The company is using tankers to pump water into the supply network, attempting to get things back to normal as soon as possible.
The situation has been declared a major incident by Surrey County Council, with water stations set up at various locations, including the crown court in Godalming and Artington park and ride in Guildford. However, long queues have been reported at these stations, leaving many feeling frustrated and worried.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, who represents the South West Surrey constituency, has expressed his concern about the situation, stating that he will speak with a top executive from Thames Water to get an update on the status of the repairs. Hunt has been keeping his followers informed through social media, sharing updates and information as it becomes available.
Residents are being advised to conserve water as much as possible, while the company works to resolve the issue. The situation is expected to continue for the foreseeable future, with the potential for disruptions to daily life, including school closures and business losses.
Effects of Storm CiaránAccording to Hunt, the company is “resetting and reprogramming” the control system, which could potentially restore supply to affected customers. He has also stated that bottled water stations will remain open to provide support to those in need.
As the situation continues to unfold, Thames Water is working to identify the cause of the problem and is hoping to bring the Shalford treatment works back online soon. With the water turbidity significantly reduced, the company is hopeful that the alarms will not trip once the water has gone through, potentially restoring the supply.
The impact of the disruption is already evident, with pubs reportedly losing trade and businesses suffering. The situation is a stark reminder of the importance of having reliable access to clean water, and the potential consequences of disruptions. As the repair work continues, residents are urged to remain patient and to keep an eye on updates from Thames Water and the authorities.