Water outage LIVE: Huge leak cuts supply to thousands of homes in five London boroughs
Thames Water is warning of a major supply issue affecting homes across a huge swathe of London.
In a statement on Monday morning, the utility company said it is “aware of an issue” affecting customers in postcodes across five boroughs in south-west London.
They are Kingston upon Thames, Merton, Richmond upon Thames, Sutton and Wandsworth. The Surrey districts of Elmbridge and Spelthorne are also affected.
“Our specialist team is on the way to investigate and work to restore your water supply as soon as possible,” Thames Water said.
It said the following postcodes may be affected: CR4, KT1, KT10, KT12, KT2, KT3, KT5, KT6, KT7, KT8, SM4, SW16, SW17, SW18, SW19, SW20, TW10, TW16.
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Live updates
Number of affected properties reduced to 6,000, says Thames Water
Thames Water is reporting that the number of properties affected by the burst has been reduced to 6,000.
This is a reduction on the 15,000 affected properties this morning.
In a statement, the utility company said: “Our engineers are making progress on repairing the burst in Molesey but it is likely to take some time to complete.
“We are rerouting water in the area to reduce the impact on customers while we work to fix the burst. Customers in Surbiton should be seeing their supply return although the pressure may be lower than usual.”
Water leaking at 750 litres per second, reports MP
The MP for Esher and Walton has claimed water was leaking at 750 litres per second this morning.
Liberal Democrat Monica Harding said she was pushing for an “urgent response” to the major leak in a Facebook post.
She added that she was concerned about vulnerable communities, as well as care homes and hospitals in the area.
Mapped: Postcodes affected by major London water outage
A new map shows the postcodes that have been affected by the major London water outage this morning.
As many as 18 postcodes have been impacted by the burst in West Molesey. Though specialist teams have been dispatched to tackle the leak, Thames Water said the burst could take some time to fix.
Thames Water has said it will make water deliveries to customers on its Priority Services Register.
The water company added that it “will be opening bottled water stations and will provide their locations once confirmed.”
Up to 15,000 properties impacted by outage
Thames Water told the Standard that as many as 15,000 properties have been affected this morning.
The water company has again apologised to affected customers as it works to repair the burst in West Molesey.
Elmbridge Xcel Leisure Complex offering refills for water
The Elmbridge Xcel Leisure Complex is offering refills of water, according to social media reports.
Residents without water can attend the leisure centre to get access to fresh drinking water.
Wimbledon MP tells of his concerns at the water outage
Wimbledon MP Paul Kohler has expressed his concern at the loss of water supply this morning.
In a post on X, the Lib Dem MP said he was in contact with Thames Water to establish what is being done to restore normal service.
Care homes hit by water outage
Esher and Walton MP Monica Harding told The Standard of her concerns of the impact of the huge water leak on her constituents.
"I'm really worried," she said. "It's spreading to south west London - there does not appear to be any water supply this morning.
"Vulnerable communities are going to really struggle and that is unacceptable."
Location of leak identified
The leak is at a burst water mains near Island Barn Reservoir in West Molesley, Surrey, according to Esher and Walton MP Monica Harding.
The Standard understands that the reservoir itself is not leaking.
Residents in Kingston left without water
Residents in Kingston have been left without water.
In videos shared with the Standard, one resident has no water in either the kitchen or the bathroom.
Despite being on full blast, the faucet produces merely a trickle of water.
