Thousands of homes across the UK and Ireland are without running water after thawing temperatures caused pipes to burst and leak.
Thames Water has faced criticism for resorting to handing out bottled water to customers after up to 20,000 properties in London and the Thames valley had their supplies cut off.
The company apologised and said the number of homes without water was now down to 12,000 – and falling – as engineers battled to fix widespread disruption to the water supply.
Anglian Water, Severn Trent, Southern Water, Welsh Water, Wessex Water, Yorkshire Water, South West Water, Scottish Water and United Utilities all said they had received reports of customers experiencing problem with their pipelines.
Meanwhile, a number of schools said they would be forced to close on Monday because they did not have running water.
Thames Water customers have expressed frustration on social media and criticised the company for not providing more convenient access to water.
Why aren't there any collection points in SW17 and other affected postcodes? Expecting people to go on an hour + round trip bus journey to collect essential water is unacceptable
— Claire (@Claireyalli) March 4, 2018
I’m currently having to pour bottled water down my loo because we can’t flush. This is gross and unhygienic
— Lily (@Lilypinkx) March 4, 2018
I LIVE 35 MINS DRIVE FROM THIS SITE. I HAVE A NEWBORN BABY AND NO WATER. HOW DO WE STERILISE?? HOW DO WE BATHE?? SW17 NEEDS ATTENTION.
— corrina conroy (@cpot28) March 4, 2018
The company has been inundated with messages from customers and many took to Twitter to say their complaints had not been answered. Others offered to help vulnerable neighbours.
If any elderly, disabled or families need help carrying the water, plz let me know. Would be happy to help. Thanks
— Kaleem Khan (@Kellyite786) March 4, 2018
Problems began late on Saturday night, though the company’s network had been experiencing issues with freezing pipes since Thursday.
Addresses in SW16, SW17 and SW18; NW2, NW3, NW5 and NW11; N2, N6, N10 and N19 were the worst affected, according to a company spokesperson.
Thames Water has not said when households can expect water supplies to return, but said engineers were working around the clock to resolve the problems.
It said: “We’ve seen an increase in leaks and bursts on our network, which we are urgently dealing with as fast as we possibly can. But the sudden and widespread surge in demand, coinciding with the rise in temperatures, means we also need to urge all our customers to check their own pipes for bursts and call a plumber if necessary.
“We are getting as much extra water into our network as we can and sincerely apologise to all our customers who are currently without water or who have low pressure.
“Our teams are working hard to prioritise services for vulnerable customers and stand up locations from which our customers can collect bottled water.”
The company is handing out water at two locations and they will remain in place overnight: Hampstead No 1 Pond car park, East Heath Road, NW3 2RJ and Homebase, 100 Woodgate Drive, Streatham Vale, SW16 5YP.
Thames Valley issued a joint statement with South East Water, Southern Water and Affinity Water, which urged customers to use as little water as possible “while things get back to normal”.
