Thousands of residents in York woke up on Thursday, April 17, 2025, to find themselves without water or facing significantly reduced water pressure due to a burst water pipe in Wigginton. The affected area, identified by the YO32 postcode, includes Haxby, New Earswick, Wigginton, Earswick, Towthorpe, Strensall, and parts of Huntington, impacting around 4,000 properties.
A Yorkshire Water spokesperson confirmed that the issue arose from a 16-inch burst water main in Wigginton. They are currently investigating the problem and working to restore supplies, although they have not provided a specific timeline for resolution. Residents have been advised that it could take anywhere from four to six hours to restore normal water services, at worst.
One resident from Haxby reported that their water supply was cut off around 6 a.m. and only returned just before 10 a.m., but the pressure remained low. “It’s been incredibly inconvenient,” they said. “I can’t even shower, shave, clean my teeth, flush the toilet or anything. I suppose as some compensation, it’s not a school day when parents are frantically trying to get children ready for school.”
Another resident, John Hart from Strensall, expressed frustration with the timing of the disruption, especially given that Yorkshire Water had just raised their water bills. “My current bill is more than £800 per annum, and now they can’t even provide us with a reliable supply of water,” he lamented. Hart emphasized that households affected by the interruption should receive compensation, suggesting a refund of one day’s billed amount for each day of service disruption.
Residents have been receiving updates from Yorkshire Water via text messages. One Earswick resident reported: “There is water, but more of a trickle than a proper flow. The text says they are working on it.” This sentiment was echoed by many who found their taps running dry or producing only minimal water flow.
Yorkshire Water has acknowledged the inconvenience caused to residents and stated, “Customers in YO32 may have no water or low water pressure. We’re really sorry but customers may have low pressure or no water because of a burst water main. We’re working hard to get your water supply back to normal as soon as possible.”
Once the repairs are completed, Yorkshire Water cautioned that the water may appear cloudy or discolored. Residents are advised to run their taps for a few minutes to clear any discoloration.
This incident has sparked discussions among residents regarding the reliability of water services in the area. Many are calling for Yorkshire Water to take greater responsibility for maintaining infrastructure, especially after recent increases in water bills.
As the situation unfolds, Yorkshire Water continues to urge affected residents to stay patient as they work to resolve the issue. They have promised to keep the community updated on progress and any changes to the expected restoration time.
In summary, the burst water pipe in Wigginton has left thousands of residents in York without adequate water supply, prompting both frustration and calls for accountability from Yorkshire Water. As the company works to fix the problem, residents are left navigating the challenges of daily life without a reliable water source.
Yorkshire Water has committed to restoring normal service as quickly as possible, but the incident raises broader questions about infrastructure maintenance and customer service in the face of service interruptions.
The community’s response will likely shape future discussions about water service reliability and the need for improvements in infrastructure to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.
