Thousands left with low pressure or no water after burst main

The Moorlander understands that around 13,000 properties have been affected by low water pressure or a complete outage following a burst water inlet at South West Water’s treatment works.

The outage also includes properties in Plymouth. 

The disruption has also led to the closure of several schools in the area due to the lack of water.

These include Bickleigh Down Church of England Primary School, St Peter's Church of England (VA) Junior School, and Whitchurch Community Primary School.

On Monday morning (April 21), South West Water (SWW) confirmed that customers in the PL6, PL19, and PL20 postcode areas may have experienced a loss of supply or lower water pressure than usual.

SWW set up water collection points for those affected and confirmed it had delivered bottled water to its most vulnerable customers.

At 5.30pm on April 21, The Moorlander understood that the burst had been fixed, and South West Water were recharging the network but that would take some time.

Three water collection points were established at the following locations:

• The George Park and Ride, Tavistock Road, PL6 7HB
• Bere Alston Bowling Club, Bedford Street, Bere Alston, PL20 7DZ
• Knightstone Tearooms, Crapstone Road, Crapstone, Yelverton, PL20 6BT

SWW said water would be available for collection between 8am and 10pm.

In a statement to The Moorlander, South West Water said: “We are carefully recharging the network to be able to fully restore supply to our customers. This is a large and complex system, and it needs to refill properly and safely before we can bring it fully back into supply. “That’s why it may take a bit more time for all customers to see their water return.

“Our absolute priority is getting supplies back to everyone as quickly as we can, and we want to thank customers for their continued patience and understanding.

“We’ve prioritised support for our most vulnerable customers throughout and will continue to provide bottled water where it’s needed.

“Several bottled water stations remain open in the area for anyone who needs them while the system refills. We’ll keep customers updated as supply returns.”

The Moorlander has also been told that multiple businesses operating in the area have been left without flushing toilets due to the lack of water today (April 22), with some telling staff to only use the toilet “if absolutely necessary.”

Rebecca Smith, MP for South West Devon, posted a statement on her Facebook page this morning, saying: “I hoped I’d be getting the train to Westminster this morning knowing water supply was all back to normal. However, here’s an update that suggests it will take a little longer today to get things fully up and running plus a heads up that a 4th water collection point will be announced shortly. They’ve also informed me that they’re ringing all local schools this morning.”

Fred Thomas, MP for Plymouth Moor View, which covers properties affected in the PL6 area of Plymouth, also shared a statement on his Facebook page: “I’m still deeply concerned residents on the Priority Services list have not had water delivered.

“I’m also worried about schools and businesses today, and about traffic around the George.”

If you have been affected, The Moorlander would like to hear from you. 

Please get in touch by emailing ella.sampson@themoorlander.co.uk.