Around 10,000 homes and businesses in Shanklin, Rookley, Wroxall, Alverstone and Newchurch are experiencing a complete loss of water supply – or at best low pressure – as a result of a burst water main on the outskirts of Newport.
Southern Water has mobilised engineers to the Blackwater area, where a burst has been discovered on a section of strategic trunk main which feeds the Cooks Castle Reservoir at Wroxall.
As a result, large swathes of properties in Central and Eastern parts of the Isle of Wight have seen the pumps run dry.
The issue hit at around 11:00 this morning (Thursday).
It is said that the delivery of bottled water to those already on the Priority Services Register is being arranged. For vulnerable customers needing access to bottled water as a priority, or for other customer queries relating to the supply interruption, the helpline telephone number is 0330 303 0368.
Bottled water stations are also being established, but no information has been released as to where these will be or when they will be up and running.
There is currently no estimated time of completion for the repairs being carried out, but the suggestion from Southern Water is that the situation will continue throughout the day.
UPDATE @ 15:31 – Initial suggestions are that water supplies could be restored by early evening, but work to repair the burst main is continuing.
It has been confirmed that 9,600 properties are without water, or are experiencing low pressure.
You can stay up to date with the latest from Southern Water at https://www.southernwater.co.uk/works-or-issues-in-my-area/.
Not a problem, I read recently
Southern Water will be increasing
our bills by 47% v.shortly.
That will cover the cock ups!