The UK’s largest water company has said that customers in the west Oxfordshire area should have water flowing through their taps once again as of Monday morning (March 9).
A critical mains water pipe suffered a catastrophic burst last week, which “deteriorated quicker than expected” and created serious water supply issues from Wednesday afternoon.
Thousands of homes were without water as Thames Water attempted to isolate the broken pipe in Eynsham, off Oxford Road by the Swinford Toll Bridge.
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Feeding potable water from the treatment works at Farmoor Reservoir to a huge area, including postcodes OX7, OX18, OX28, OX29 and GL7, water was pouring from the broken pipe at such a rate that an eight-by-eight metre sinkhole opened up, three metres deep, and a diver had to be brought in to find the leak.
A complicated and lengthy repair followed, with a new piece of pipe having to be manufactured and installed using extra safety supports.
A new piece of pipe was manufactured and installed (Image: Mark Wood)
Three bottled water stations were opened – two in Carterton, and one in Witney – and homes, businesses, schools and doctors surgeries were left without no or low tap water for what turned out to be days.
A total of 15 schools in the area closed on Friday, while farmers were left with no water for their livestock and businesses like Abbott Laboratories had to close during the outage.
The water company has said that water should be back to normal and they thanked local people for their “understanding and patience” as the situation was fixed.
A spokesperson for Thames Water said: “The network continues to recover further overnight, you should now have water flowing through your taps again.
MPs Calum Miller (left) and Charlie Maynard at the site of the burst pipe (Image: Calum Miller MP / Charlie Maynard MP)
“When your water returns it may be discoloured at first, this is normal – further guidance on what to expect after an incident like this, please see our After An Incident Guide.
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“If you live in a high rise block or building and remain affected. Please get in touch with your managing agent as internal pumps may need to be reset.
“If the above doesn’t apply to you and you are also experiencing problems with your water supply or need to report any other operational issues, please call us on 0800 316 9800. Lines are open 24/7
“We would like to once again, thank you for your continued understanding and patience.
“The amount of support that our teams have received from the community has been greatly appreciated.”
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