Burst Water Main In Kingswood Disrupts Thousands

In the early hours of February 6, 2026, residents across Kingswood, a suburb near Bristol, awoke to an unexpected and unwelcome surprise: their taps had run dry. A major burst in a water main on Tenniscourt Road left thousands of homes in Kingswood, Warmley, Cadbury Heath, Longwell Green, Oldland Common, and even parts of Barrs Court without water or suffering from severely reduced pressure, according to reports by BBC and Bristol Post.

The disruption began around 2:15 a.m., when the first reports of water outages trickled in. One resident recounted, "We woke up with our baby at 2.30am this morning to no water. My partner phoned Bristol Water at around 3am and they advised that the issue was first reported at around 2.15am and crews were on their way to Tenniscourt Road." This early morning chaos quickly spiraled, affecting not just households but also local infrastructure and daily routines.

Bristol Water, the company responsible for the region’s supply, responded swiftly. Their teams were dispatched to Tenniscourt Road to assess and begin repairs on what they described as a “very large” burst main. The company issued a public statement on its website, saying, “We have been made aware of a large burst main on Tenniscourt Road. This is causing very poor pressure or no water to properties in Kingswood, Warmley, Cadbury Heath, Longwell Green & Oldland. Our crew are on site investigating. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your patience while we work on this repair.”

The effects rippled outward almost immediately. As the morning progressed, it became clear that the impact was not limited to just a handful of homes. According to NationalWorld, thousands of properties across Bristol and South Gloucestershire were left without water, forcing many to scramble for alternatives. Social media was soon awash with posts from residents sharing their experiences and frustrations, with some uploading photos of water gushing onto Tenniscourt Road, a stark visual of the scale of the problem.

The water crisis also dealt a major blow to local schools. By midday, at least six schools had announced closures, affecting thousands of pupils and their families. Among those shuttered were King’s Oak Academy in Kingswood, Sir Bernard Lovell Academy in Oldland Common, Digitech Academy in Bristol, Our Lady of Lourdes RC VA Primary School on Hanham Road, and King’s Forest Primary School in Bristol. The Cabot Learning Federation, which oversees several of these institutions, confirmed to BristolLive that the closures were a direct result of the water main burst.

The sudden loss of water forced school leaders into rapid decision-making. With no access to running water for drinking, toilets, or basic hygiene, the safety and well-being of students and staff became the top priority. South Gloucestershire Council confirmed, “Sir Bernard Lovell Academy, in Oldland Common, has closed to all students today due to the burst water main.” Meanwhile, parents scrambled to rearrange their days, some left without childcare and others worried about missed lessons and disrupted routines.

But it wasn’t just homes and schools feeling the pinch. The burst main also caused significant traffic disruptions. According to the traffic monitoring site Inrix, Tenniscourt Road was partially blocked, leading to slow traffic between Brook Road and the A420 Hill Street. Commuters faced delays and detours, adding another layer of frustration to an already difficult morning.

As residents and local businesses coped with the outage, Bristol Water crews worked throughout the day to locate the exact source of the rupture and begin repairs. The company continued to update the public, apologizing for the inconvenience and urging patience. “Our crew are on site investigating. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your patience while we work on this repair,” Bristol Water reiterated in its communications, as reported by Bristol Post and BBC.

The incident highlighted the fragility of urban infrastructure and the far-reaching impact of a single failure. While water main bursts are not uncommon in older cities—often caused by aging pipes, ground movement, or extreme weather—the scale of this outage was notable. The main in question was described repeatedly as “very large,” underscoring the challenge faced by repair crews and the reason for the widespread disruption.

For many, the day was a stark reminder of how much daily life depends on reliable access to water. From making a morning cup of tea to flushing toilets and washing hands, basic routines ground to a halt. Local businesses, too, were affected, with some forced to close or limit operations due to the lack of water.

The community response was a mix of frustration, resilience, and neighborly support. Some residents offered bottled water to those most in need, while others shared updates and advice on social media. Local officials coordinated with Bristol Water to ensure that vulnerable residents, such as the elderly and those with young children, were not left stranded without essential supplies.

As the day wore on, repair crews continued their work, aiming to restore service as quickly as possible. The cause of the burst was still under investigation at the time of reporting, but Bristol Water assured residents that they were doing all they could to fix the problem and minimize further disruption. The company’s repeated apologies and updates reflected both the seriousness of the situation and the importance of clear communication during a crisis.

By late afternoon, some areas began to see gradual improvements in water pressure, though full restoration was expected to take several more hours. In the meantime, bottled water stations were set up in the most affected neighborhoods, and residents were advised to check Bristol Water’s website and social media channels for the latest information.

The burst water main incident in Kingswood serves as a reminder of the essential role that infrastructure plays in daily life, and how quickly things can change when that infrastructure fails. For the families, students, and businesses caught up in the disruption, it was a day of inconvenience and adaptation—but also one that showcased the community’s ability to pull together in the face of adversity.

As Bristol Water crews continued their efforts into the evening, the hope was that life in Kingswood and the surrounding areas would soon return to normal, with lessons learned and a renewed appreciation for something as simple—and as vital—as running water.