Bottled water on tap as supply dries up (From Wandsworth Guardian)

Bottled water for Lavender Hill as supply dries up

4:15pm Thursday 24th May 2012 in News

Some Lavender Hill homes and businesses have been without water for 24 hours

As the borough swelters in the hottest spell of the year so far residents and businesses in Lavender Hill have been without water for the past 24 hours.

And Thames Water is set to send out bottled supplies after taps stopped running along the Battersea road at around midday yesterday - just as the mercury began to soar and temperatures reached a stifling 27C.

Roadworks have been going on for the last few days as Wandsworth Coucil attempt to widen the pavement outside the shops along Lavender Hill.

Thames Water said a pipe had been damaged and work to repair it, as well as find out the cause, was underway.

Meanwhile Jessica Thomas, who lives above Headmasters hairdressers, said she has been unable to get any running water since yesterday lunchtime and cannot use the toilet in her flat. Thames Water has been flooded with calls from angry residents but the company is allegedly refusing to acknowledge the problem.

Affected residents are convinced the road works and the sudden disappearance of their water supply must be linked.

Some people were told the water would be back on by 6pm yesterday but as they woke this morning to more roasting temperatures, it was still not functioning.

Ms Thomas said: "We are in the flats right next to where the riots were, above the party shop - we are above Headmasters.

"There are six flats in the building and none of us have had water for over 24 hours now. On two of the hottest days of the year too. We can't even flush the toilet.

"We have called Thames Water three times but each time they keep saying they have no record of any call being logged for that problem.

"Wandsworth Council are digging the road up outside the building at the moment to widen the pavement so we believe that must be the problem."

It is also understood that businesses are suffering too with Headmasters, who rely on a fresh water supply, having to cancel clients.

A Thames Water spokesman said: "We are really sorry for the inconvenience being caused to customers in Lavender Hill.

"We are working to get this repaired as soon as possible and have some bottled water on its way for while they are waiting.

"We were out investigating this job last night and have been back on site today and hope to have the supply back on by later this evening.

"This has been caused by a damaged pipe and we are working with the council to find out exactly how this happened."