Schools forced to close as THOUSANDS left without water due to ‘technical fault’
Schools have been forced to close as thousands of residents have been left without water due to a technical fault at Southern Water’s Testwood Water Supply Works.
The significant disruption is affecting multiple areas including Southampton, Eastleigh, Romsey and the New Forest, with some households experiencing low water pressure while others have no water at all.
Ten schools have been forced to close as Southern Water works to resolve the issue, which began in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
The disruption is affecting 10 specific postcodes: SO15, SO16, SO40, SO42, SO43, SO45, SO50, SO51, SO52 and SO53.
Areas experiencing water issues include Lordswood, Maybush, Upper Shirley, Millbrook and Lordshill areas of Southampton.
The problems have also spread to Totton, Calmore, Nursling, Hillyfields, Romsey, and North Baddesley.
Southern Water has confirmed that water is not currently leaving the Testwood site, with teams working around the clock since late last night to address the fault.
The affected schools include North Baddesley Infant School and Halterworth in the Test Valley area.
The New Forest Academy, Cadland Primary School and Wildground in the New Forest have also been forced to close.
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Mountbatten school in Romsey is among the 10 schools that Hampshire County Council confirmed had to send pupils home.
Local resident Sandra Hall told the Daily Echo: “Thankfully, we had a hot shower last night otherwise it could’ve been a real nightmare.”
Stephanie Davidovitz, Head of Water Networks at Southern Water, said: “Our Testwood Water Supply works has run into some issues.
“We are working through plans to look at how we can restore supply in some areas but it is an emerging issue.”
Southern Water’s Incident Alternative Response team has been working to support vulnerable customers and key services.
The company is delivering bottled water to customers on their Priority Services Register and care homes.
Southern Water has established its first bottled water station at Places Leisure Centre on Passfield Avenue in Eastleigh, SO50 9NL.
The company said additional water station locations and opening times will be announced once they are operational.
Vulnerable customers who require water for medical reasons are urged to contact Southern Water’s emergency line on 0330 303 0368.
The water supplier warned that resolving the technical fault “is going to take time” as teams continue working to fix the issue.