Updated: Water Supply Problem Downgraded from ‘Major Incident’

Published on: 14 Aug, 2022
Updated on: 16 Aug, 2022

Update 10.20am August 16

Thames Water reported on their website: “Netley Mill Water Treatment Works continues to run normally and levels in local reservoirs are good.

“We’re therefore not planning to re-open the bottled water stations we’ve been running locally.

“If your supply has been affected in recent days, we’re really sorry for these problems. Any continuing issues are likely to be caused by an air lock, either in our network or the pipes within your own property. If so, please call us on 0800 316 9800 so that we can investigate.”

Update 7.45pm August 15

The water supply problems causing thousands of homes to areas south and east of Guildford to have no running water has now been downgraded from a “Major Incident”.

A statement sent to The Dragon by GBC said: “Water supply to all areas is improving and has now been restored to all but 15 properties. Thames Water continues to work on removing the remaining air pockets from their system.

“This morning there were 183 vulnerable customers in the areas with reported airlocks and Thames Water teams delivered bottled water to them from 9am.”

Update: Evening, August 14

Surrey County Council has this evening issued a further update on the water supply problems affecting some homes to the south east of Guildford.

The problem which started on Friday affected around 7,000 homes but by today only 300 remained without a supply.

A SCC spokesperson said: “We are continuing to work with partners across the Local Resilience Forum to ensure that people can access water as Thames Water deal with supply disruption affecting up to 300 properties, predominantly in the GU6 and GU8 postcodes.

“Thames Water expect water supply to be restored in these areas by tomorrow afternoon (Monday, August 15). Bottled water stations will re-open again tomorrow at the following locations from 8.30am to 6pm:

Cranleigh Leisure Centre
Shere Car Park, Upper Street, Guildford GU5 9HF

Surrey Hills Business Park and Gomshall Sports & Social Club will no longer be in operation after 9pm today.

“District and borough councils continue to oversee the local response on the ground, making welfare calls, visiting homes where residents were unreachable by phone, co-ordinating volunteers and supporting Thames Water logistically with bottled water stations and distribution, particularly in regards to our vulnerable residents who may need additional support. Logistical support has also been provided by Surrey 4 x 4 response volunteers.

“Residents are advised to visit the Thames Water website for updates and to call Thames Water on 0800 316 9800 if they are unable to get bottled water.”