Thousands in west Devon remain affected after burst water pipe

Thousands of properties, including houses, schools and leisure centers, are still without water supplies after an explosion pipe in West Devon.

South West Water (SWW) confirmed that on Tuesday morning 9,500 properties were still experiencing a loss of water supply or a lower water pressure, after the initial explosion of Monday.

A water company spokesman said the teams were “recharging the network” to completely restore supplies for their customers in places like Tavistock, Bere Alston and Yelverton.

“This is a large and complex system, and it must be stuffed properly and safely before we can completely come to supply,” they said.

“That is why you can take a little more time to all customers to see their return of water.

“Our absolute priority is to recover supplies to all as quickly as we can, and we want to thank customers for their continuous patience and understanding.”

Horbridge Primary and Nursery School said it was closed on Tuesday because it had no water.

In social networks, the school said: “Excuse me for the delay, but we have tried to contact South West Water for more information, however, they have not been able to give us more information, so with that in mind unfortunately we will have to remain closed today.

“Water collection points are open and available, we will keep them updated or more information is given.”

Whitchurch Community Elementary School in Tavistock also said he had the decision to close and apologize in advance by any interruption caused.

Nuffield Health Devonshire Leisure Center in Derifford, Plymouth remained closed on Tuesday morning due to problems.

Fred Thomas, MP of Plymouth Moor View, said he has asked the water company an “immediate timeline” for when the supplies would return.

He has also requested more bottled water stations that call for the current “totally inappropriate” disposal.

“Families cannot wait in the traffic queen in the middle of a working day. We urgently need more open places today,” he said.

“The last thing people in Plymouth should worry is where their next glass of water comes from.

“Southwest water needs to intensify, and fast.”

SWW said that their most vulnerable customers had received “prioritized support” through the incident and would continue to provide bottle water where necessary.

The company said that bottled water stations remained open for anyone who needed them while the system is filled again.

They are located at the George Park and Ride, Ber Alston Bowling Club and Knightstone Teatoms in Yelverton.

“We will keep updated customers as the supply returns,” said a spokesman.

David Harris de Sww said a fourth water station had opened in Morrisons in Tavistock.

He said: “We are working with schools to keep them open, and we are aware of the impact it has on the parents of those schoolchildren.

“We are doing this as fast as we can and we regret a lot that this has happened.

“We do not plan this, this is certainly not something that we would like because we happen, but we have responded as quickly as possible and in a respectful way that does not cause more and more delays in our Geysythe ity.”

He said the teams also had a leg “working 24 hours” to restore the water back to property as quickly as possible.

The company also said that compensation payments would be available for those affected, “as a gesture of good will and to make peace.”

In a message to customers on social networks, he said: “We understand how crucial is access to water, and we are committed to providing fair compensation for experienced inconsign.

“We will provide more updates on the specific compensation amounts in due time.

“We are grateful for everyone’s patience and understanding, while we have worked to put things well.”

Harris added: “We follow the regulator of what established guaranteed standards for compensation, which means that customers who lose the supply during a prolonged amount of period are entitled to automatic compensation.

“Let’s see just pay that, but we will keep it under review depending on how long it takes us to restore the complete network.”