More than 58,000 homes across Hampshire are facing significant water supply issues due to problems at Southern Water's Testwood Water Supply Works. This disruption started early on Wednesday, leading to short supplies and low pressure for families and businesses alike. The company has stated their aim is to resolve the situation by the end of the weekend.
According to Southern Water, the problems at the Testwood site have resulted not only in major residential inconveniences but also forced the closure of over 30 schools across the region, impacting thousands of students and their families. Residents have reported waiting for hours at bottled water distribution sites as they seek alternatives for their basic needs.
Stephanie Davidovitz of Southern Water explained during an interview with the BBC, “It is our ambition to have all customers back on supply by the weekend.” This sentiment echoes the frustration many locals feel, particularly those reliant on the Priority Services Register, including vulnerable populations.
Turnout was intense as people flocked to the bottled water stations set up at various locations including Marchwood, Eastleigh, and Totton. Reportedly, some individuals had to walk up to three miles to retrieve their water allocations, creating congestion and frustration on local roads. Residents like Jill Woolger, who has been without water since Wednesday morning, expressed dismay stating, “I think what I’m so fed up about is not receiving any water, even being on the priority register.” Woolger suffers from autoimmune conditions and emphasized the importance of having adequate water for her medical requirements.
Local MPs have united to express their discontent with Southern Water’s response to the crisis, including Southampton Test MP Satvir Kaur, who labeled the situation as 'shameful.' She pointed out, “It’s unacceptable we’ve been let down by Southern Water again, and for another Christmas!” Residents are also frustrated by impending water bill increases planned for next year, which are set to be the highest in England and Wales, with Southern Water customers facing hikes of up to 53%.
The public outrage was amplified following the announcement from the regulator Ofwat stating the average water bill would rise significantly. For many, it feels like adding salt to the wound as they struggle with limited access to water services.
Southern Water claimed to have completed initial repairs at the Testwood Water Supply Works and are now working diligently to refill the reservoir. They stated, “We continue to work hard to restore supplies,” but emphasized the restoration process must be performed cautiously to prevent additional disruptions.
Tankers have been mobilized, supplying necessary water to hospitals, including Southampton General Hospital, where seven tankers were dedicated to ensuring patients continued to receive care without interruption. The challenges presented by the water outage have required hospitals to implement contingency plans to adapt to the lack of water supply.
Local officials are also actively involved, with Hampshire County Council representatives raising concerns about the situation. Nick Adams-King, leader of the council, has been vocal about the recurring nature of these water supply challenges, especially occurring during the busy holiday season.
While emergency bottled water stations are functioning, the rollout of these supplies has been criticized as chaotic, with many residents expressing concerns about the distribution process. Reports of long lines at the various distribution points indicate the urgency of the matter as many remain without basic access to water.
The issue has also raised broader questions about infrastructure reliability and support for vulnerable populations during crises. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has intervened, emphasizing the need for improved governance and support structures within water companies to prevent recurrence of such disruptions.
Despite efforts by Southern Water, it remains unclear how soon all affected areas will see the return of full water supplies. Reports indicate customers may have to wait until the weekend for regular service. The situation continues to be monitored closely as residents anticipate prompt action and communication from Southern Water.
For those affected, if you require urgent support, Southern Water advises contacting them at 0330 303 0368.
