Residents in south London may experience temporary disruptions in their water supply as Thames Water works to restore normal service.
Numerous households have been without water since Tuesday evening due to a ruptured pipe.
Thames Water has issued apologies to the thousands of customers impacted in areas including Crystal Palace, Forest Hill, Sydenham, West Norwood, and Streatham, noting that water has been redirected from other locations, resulting in reduced pressure for those living in taller buildings.
On Friday, some residents conveyed to BBC London that the situation had been “extremely poor,” and criticized the company’s communication as “inadequate.”
The utility provider has informed residents that if the water appears cloudy or has bubbles, it is merely air being trapped in the pipes and remains safe to consume.
The leak has impacted seven schools and three care homes across the SE19, SE20, SE23, SE26, SE27, and SW16 postal areas.
Additionally, on Friday, Thames Water announced its intention to contest Ofwat’s decision to restrict price increases to 35% over the next five years.
As the largest utility provider in the UK, Thames Water argues that this increase “fails to provide sufficient support for the investment and enhancements necessary to adequately serve its customers, communities, and the environment.”
This statement came just two days after officials admitted they would not be completing over 100 environmental projects funded by customer payments, prompting an inquiry by Ofwat.
Currently, Thames Water experiences a loss of 24% of the water it delivers due to leaks.
