Numerous people in Surrey are still without safe drinking water following a problem at a water treatment plant, which caused a “major emergency” to be declared. Shalford treatment centre in Guildford, owned and operated by Thames Water, was the site of the problem which has been caused by Storm Ciarán. About 10 to 12,000 people have been affected by the issue; Thames Water has said that it expects that the “majority” of customers will have water restored within 24 hours.
Thames Water has apologized for the issue, yet Waverley Council Leader Paul Follows has said that acquiring “basic information” from the water company had been a “challenge”. Mr. Follows also stated that he had questions for both Surrey County Council and local MPs concerning water infrastructure. Tim Oliver, Surrey County Council’s leader, also declared a “major emergency” on Sunday.
Local residents have complained about the lack of communication from Thames Water to communities which have been affected by the issue. Several local schools also closed temporarily or switched to online learning due to the absence of clean drinking water. Bottled water stations have been opened at Guildford’s Crown Court and Artinton carparks to help those impacted by the shortage.
While Thames Water has claimed that the crisis is improving, it still needs to refill reservoirs as tanker trucks continue to supply clean drinking water to residents in postcode areas GU1, GU2, GU3, GU5, GU6, GU7, and GU8. The organisation has thanked the public for its patience and understanding and is continuing to work hard to fix the situation and return daily life to normal for those impacted by the water shortage
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