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WATER MESS
‘Do not drink’ notice could last for a MONTH as hundreds of Brits forced to queue for bottled water after ‘fuel leak’
Testing has raised concerns about the tap water
AN urgent "do not drink" notice has been issued to homes in a Surrey village as hundreds of people are queuing for water.
Thames Water raised concerns over tap water tests relating to 616 households in Bramley - with a spokesperson confirming to The Sun the issue could last up to a month.
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The issue is related to a previous fuel leak at a village petrol station, now operated by Asda.
Thames Water upped water sample collections and testing from October 2023 in light of the problem.
But the firm has been forced to take drastic measures following the latest test results and is currently having a water pipe outside the site replaced, which could take three or four weeks.
Asked if during the same period, the notice not to drink water will remain in place, a spokeswoman told The Sun: "That's our estimate at the moment.
"We will continue to provide bottled water in that time."
The notice said test results from today had indicated “a possible deterioration in quality in some areas”.
Pub landlord in village with 'do not drink' notice says business is suffering
Chris Hardstone, landlord of the Jolly Farmer, claims he has been complaining about the fuel issue since 2021.
The 67-year-old has run the pub with his brother Steve, 66, for 40 years.
Chris said: "Back in 2021, our cellar just stank of fumes - and this petrol smell was wafting up into the bar.
"It took ages to get people to come and have a look, but when they did, we had people checking for gas leaks, for fire safety.
"We were told initially it was mould - but it wasn't of course. It was a leak from the petrol station."
Mr Hardstone said that they had to close the hotel part of the pub as a result - meaning they lost out on business.
"These issues meant we had to close our accommodation section down - so we lost business there," he said.
"And of course, when word goes around that the local pub stinks of petrol, that affects business too."
Letters and bottled water are being hand delivered to those affected properties over this evening and tomorrow morning - or can be collected.
The water can still be used to wash or flush the toilet, the firm added.
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Thames Water has reiterated that water has been safe to drink "up to this point", as confirmed by "rigorous water testing" in recent months following the fuel leak.
Tess Fayers, Thames Water's regional operations director, told BBC Radio Surrey: "Unfortunately, it will last between three or four weeks. We have works going on in the high street on Horsham Road, where I know that is very frustrating because it is disrupting traffic in the area.
Thames Water issues urgent 'do NOT drink' warning to hundreds of Surrey homes after fuel leak sparks major health fears
"We hope to complete those works as quickly as possible. We are looking at ways to expedite that. We ask residents to bare with us. It could be that we are working through the night."
Tess Fayers, Operations Director for the Thames Valley and Home Counties previously said: “We are asking 616 Bramley properties not to drink the tap water following recent water sampling results.
“The health and safety of our customers is our number one priority, and we would like to reassure residents that this is a precautionary measure.
"We are in the process of delivering letters and bottled water to the affected properties.
"We are also identifying locations to set-up bottled water stations and we will share this information with our customers as soon as possible.
“We are already on site in the village proactively replacing sections of our pipes on Horsham Road to reduce the risk to our customers.”
Thames Water will continue to carefully assess the situation through its monitoring programme and will work with public authorities, including UKHSA and Waverly Borough Council.
A Waverley Borough Council spokesperson, said: “We are working closely with Thames Water and other agencies to try and mitigate the impact on residents, and we will support residents wherever possible.”
An Asda spokesperson said: “We are continuing to work closely with Thames Water and other partners to address the issues we inherited after acquiring the Bramley PFS site.
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";We recognise the impact this has had on the residents of Bramley and share their frustrations.
";We are committed to working with all parties to resolve this situation as quickly as possible.”
I live in Bramley - what should I do?
The notice means 616 properties are asked not to use their water supply for drinking, cooking or brushing their teeth - customers can continue to use the water to shower and wash hands.
Letters and bottled water will be hand delivered to those affected properties over this evening and tomorrow morning.
The ‘do not drink’ advice will remain in place while further investigations are carried out. During this time the affected customers are advised:
- Don’t drink the tap water or give to pets.
- Don’t prepare or cook food using tap water.
- Don’t use tap water to brush your teeth.
- Don’t use tap water even after boiling.
- Can use tap water to wash.
- Can use tap water to flush the loo.
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