Third day of water shortages after Crystal Palace burst main

Thousands of homes and businesses, including 11 care homes and 29 schools, in the Streatham, Penge and Sydenham areas are without water or enduring low water pressure for a third day today, following a burst water main in Crystal Palace on Tuesday.

Thames Water has issued a statement saying that as it resumes supplies, householders who experience some cloudy water or water with bubbles in, this “is still safe to drink”.

And arrangements for emergency supplies of bottled water in a supermarket car park were disrupted yesterday, Thames Water says, due to “a security incident”.

Thames Water, apologetic as ever, says that the affected postcodes are SE19, SE20, SE23, SE26, SE27 and SW16.

In the water monopoly’s latest statement this morning, they say: “Our engineers are working to fix the damaged pipe, and in the interim, are re-routing water to those in the affected area, so most people should see their water supply returning, though pressure may be lower than normal, especially in taller buildings.

“As your water returns, you may notice your water is cloudy or has bubbles in it, this is due to air trapped in the pipes and is still safe to drink.

“If you don’t have any water, you can collect bottled water from our bottled water station located at Sainsbury’s, Southend Lane, SE26 4PU which is now open.

“We apologise to customers who were unable to collect water from this location yesterday as we had to close the site due to a security incident.

“We have been proactively contacting everyone in the affected area who has pre-registered with us as having special requirements, such as being medically reliant on water, so we can make sure we give them the help and support they need. We are also working to make sure schools and hospitals in the area have adequate alternative water supplies.

“Thank you for your patience while we fix the problem.”

It has also been reported that Thames Water is having to deal with flooding issues at its Crystal Palace Pumping Station, and that this was “also adding to the supply problems”.

Thames Water has promised to update its incident page here

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