Thousands of households and businesses in the East Wight are without water supply this morning (Thursday) due to a major burst.
Properties in areas such as Ryde, Seaview, St Helens and Bembridge have awoken to discover the taps are running dry.
Reports suggest the problem could expand as far away as Shanklin, with other areas such as Brading experiencing low pressure.
Island Echo has confirmed that a significant burst has occurred in Bembridge, off Commonwood Lane, where tens of thousands of gallons of water is flooding a field and running onto the main Sandown-Bembridge road, near the airport.
Southern Water engineers have located the burst main and are working to isolate the affected pipe. Resources are being mobilised to fix the issue at the earliest opportunity – but this could take some time.
A spokesperson has said:
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused and we thank you for your patience.”
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Islanders can expect disruption to normal operations of local businesses, with McDonalds one of the many stores having already closed its doors this morning.
The burst is thought to have occurred sometime overnight, prior to 05:00.
UPDATE @ 07:54 – As households begin their days, shoppers are already descending on Tesco Extra in Ryde to stock up on bottles of water.
It has been confirmed that Bembridge Primary School, St Helens Primary School and Nettlestone Primary School have all been forced to close their doors this morning.
Other schools in the wider area, such as Oakfield, remain open.
UPDATE @ 13:30 – A Southern Water spokesperson has said nearly all affected customers are back in supply.
“Nearly all customers affected by the burst water main near Bembridge Airport on the Isle of Wight are now back in supply.
“We have maintained supplies by moving water around our network and isolating the damaged section of main while repairs continue.
“We expect the full repair to be completed this evening.
“In the meantime, tankers are being deployed to support customers in higher areas who may continue to experience lower pressure as the network recovers.”
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No water as far south as Lake, noticed around 5:45.
No water as far south as Lake, noticed around 5:45
What we need to know urgently is when we can have supplies. We can’t even have a cup of tea this morning.
No tank in the roof ?
does anyone have a cold water tank these days…
I haven’t for 40 years or more….
Years of underfunding National Scandal !
Don’t worry, Enough is Enough will have a solution
Ha ha! you’re not wrong there.
Or his usual dumb comment on speed bumps or limits even though nothing to do with this actual problem.
If you are law abiding you wouldn’t fear speed bumps
I am, and I would…
even driving at the legal speed limit, some speed bumps can do significant damage. (unless you slow to a virtual stop.which is unnecessary, and counter productive from a safety perspective).
ROAD SAFETY ON THE ISLAND IS SHITE!
We need Mayor Khan running the show
He would show the Numpties how to run an island.
Probably related to speed cameras, or parking permits ….
Speed cameras STOP numpties speeding and permits
are a great earner for cash strapped Councils.
but Speed cameras and permits, don’t fix water leaks!!
Build a bridge, dig a tunnel, lets pipe it in and make sure CCTV is watching 24/7 in case the russians try taking it lol.
It would never happen on the mainland. We need more of those engineers.
Lots of things don’t happen on the mainland.
I saw 2 large Vans in different parts of the island
FULLY parked on Pavements blocking pedestrian
access
THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE AUTHORITIES ALLOW
PARKING ON PAVEMENTS
Once a Numpty always a Numpty
I have. I didn’t use my hosepipe today.
20 is plenty need more CCTV that’ll sort it out……
20 is plenty saves lives!
He will blame on the speeding drivers
McDonalds has closed… “every cloud” 🙂
Hallelujah
Let’s see if everyone gives Southern Water a round of applause today since they were getting all the praise for opening Horsebridge hill two weeks early after taking 2 months to change 500 metres of pipeline
I laughed at the comment, “with McDonald’s one of the many stores having already closed its doors this morning.”
With a potential Third World War looming, all some people are worried about is not having their McD’s.
I wonder how many will be claiming, “Not having my McD is causing anxiety, distress, and depression. It’s against my Human Rights”.
They will play on ADHD, very fashionable thesedays!