Water Safe to Drink At Last

Published on: 31 Aug, 2024
Updated on: 1 Sep, 2024

St Catherine’s School, Bramley. Google

By Chris Caulfield

local democracy reporter

Enforced drinking water restrictions at a Bramley school linked to a nearby petrol forecourt pipe leak have been lifted after four months, just in time for the children’s autumn term, the MP and former chancellor Jeremy Hunt has confirmed.

In 2021 residents of the Surrey Hills village began to complain about the stench of petrol – strong enough to force a nearby pub to close its accommodation.

Wildlife in the streams and river systems was dying and people were forced to keep their windows open – without a clear picture as to the source of the problems.

In February 2023, tests carried out at the School Road petrol station came back clear – with the results suggesting there was no fuel leak and any ground contamination was historic.

Fast forward a year and another test was carried out that found the pipe feeding one of the tanks had failed and was immediately decommissioned.

A ‘do not drink’ order was issued to 618 homes by Thames Water in May of this year with residents forced to use bottles. This was ultimately lifted in July after the broken pipework was replaced and samples from nearby homes came back clear.

Now MP Jeremy Hunt has said Thames Water’s testing of the school site has come back clean.

He posted yesterday (August 30): “I’m pleased to confirm Thames Water today released the final drinking water restriction for the last section of St Catherine’s School.

“This follows extensive testing and compliance with the rigorous requirements of the UK Health Security Agency This is really excellent news ahead of St Catherine’s new term and everyone back to school next week.

“Six weeks ago we held a public meeting in Bramley with Stuart Rose of Asda.

“Although the store itself has (controversially for some) reopened we have not moved forward on other issues as much as hoped since this meeting and so I am urgently following up with both Openreach and Asda on behalf of the many residents who have been in touch with me.

“Key concerns remain understanding what progress has been made regarding the contamination clean-up, supporting local people and businesses and ongoing issues, and work still to do on communicating with local people.”

Thames Water has been contacted but has yet to respond.