Wales water updates: Burst pipe closes Conwy schools for second day


Repair work is ongoing to restore water to over 8,000 homes following a burst pipe at a treatment plant. The incident took place on Wednesday night at Bryn Cowlyd Water Treatment Works in Dolgarrog, Conwy. About 40,000 homes are without water, leading to the closure of roughly 40 schools and numerous businesses. Water supply was expected to be restored on Thursday but Welsh Water since updated this to say the repair requires an additional 48 hours.

The situation has forced many inhabitants to resort to alternative sources of water, such as using stream or pond water to flush toilets. Social media reports indicate some people are venturing out to sea to keep toilets clean. Several nurseries have remained closed on Friday with a concert by the London Symphonic Rock Orchestra at Venue Cymru delayed.

Volunteers have been delivering water to vulnerable people in the region. Conservative county councillor for Colwyn, Cheryl Carlisle, has sourced water from Old Colwyn to assist those in need. She described Welsh Water’s emergency response as “woefully inadequate.” The company stated bottled water stations will be in place on Friday, but there is a shortage in bulk bottled water supplies across the UK.

Some affected residents could remain without water until Sunday, Welsh Water warned. Nia Clwyd Owen, Plaid Cymru county councillor for Llanrwst, Llanddoged & Maenanin, noted the council had offered different locations for Welsh Water to establish water stations on Friday. Water tankers are being used to supply water to hospitals and care homes and about 5,000 vulnerable individuals are on Welsh Water’s list.

The incident, which is affecting supplies in several nearby areas, could take 48 hours to repair. Welsh Water has offered compensation arrangements for affected customers and stated that current supplies will be used to prioritise vulnerable customers. The company also asked customers to only take what they need from its water stations

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