MP Calls for Action After Major Water Main Burst
Leak under Wandsworth High Street has interrupted supply over wide area
The 36-inch trunk main under Wandsworth High Street. Picture: Thames Water
November 1, 2024
Putney’s MP is calling for action from Thames Water after a major water main burst interrupted supply for residents across a wide area of her constituency.
Fleur Anderson said that the utility company needed to be responsive and proactive after the leak developed in a pipe under Wandsworth High Street.
The leak has caused widespread disruption, leaving many residents without consistent access to hot water for over a week, with some potentially facing a further fortnight before full services are restored.
The first reports of a problem on the 36-inch trunk main were made on Sunday 20 October when water appeared on the road. This required two lanes of the carriageway to be closed. Thames identified the pipe that was affected by turning on and off supply to the four pipes in this area one by one. It took two days to confirm it was the main trunk main and work on fixing it couldn’t start until a plan had been worked out for diverting water supplies within the wider network of pipes, as well as identifying locations where water could be added to the system using water tankers.
On Thursday 24 October, Thames shut off the valves which supply water to this mains pipe. It then took three days for the water to drain down. In the meantime, contractors began digging down to expose the pipe. By the early hours of Monday 28 October, Thames had full access to the pipe so were in a better position to fully assess the damage and could then plan remedial action.
Some properties such as apartments and flats need higher water pressure to enable residents to receive a steady flow of water on higher floors. While some buildings have pumps which support this process, many buildings rely on the water pressure within the network of pipes.
Intermittent low pressure is to be expected particularly during peak demand which is usually between 6am – 10am and 4pm – 8pm on weekdays. On the weekend peak demand changes slightly and there is more water use between 7am – 11am and 4pm –8pm.
Thames says that its repair teams are working 24-hours a day, however this is a complex job as the water mains pipe is running alongside many other utilities, including a gas mains pipe.
It adds, “We have 12 tankers in the area, 9 of which are plugged directly into our network, with the remaining 3 taking over infusions when one unplugs. We are aware that over the weekend, some properties in the SW11, SW15 and SW18 were without water during peak demand. We continue to monitor the situation closely and adjust our infusions accordingly.”
No date is given for completion at the moment with Thames saying only that the repair should be done within ‘the coming week’ and then the pipe needs to be brought back into service slowly to avoid another burst or leak elsewhere in the system. Water quality checks also need to be carried out. Only once this work is done will water pressure return to normal.
Ms Anderson said, “I am hugely concerned by the experiences residents have shared with me. Some properties have been without water for 10 days, or intermittent water, or no hot water at peak times of the day. I have been in daily contact with Thames Water and asked that they be extremely proactive in communicating to residents what is happening, in order that residents can plan around this disruption.
“It is hard to understate the impact that incidents like this have on residents, particularly on the elderly and disabled. I have asked Thames Water to consider this in their provision of bottled water and guidance for bathing without hot water, bearing in mind that elderly and disabled residents may not see updates online. I have also asked Thames Water to update residents on the compensation provision for this disruption.
“Looking at the broader picture, investment in our water infrastructure is critical. The state of our pipes, sewers and general infrastructure is shocking after decades of neglect and underinvestment. I am pleased to see how seriously our new Labour Government is taking this task, with long overdue investment and prioritisation of our waters.
“The postcodes I have reported to me that are affected by this leak are currently SW15 6BG, SW15 2UG, SW15 2RA and SW15 2TL, but I am concerned there are more. Please do contact me and Thames Water directly if you experience any issues.”
Thames Water have advised residents experiencing issues to call 0800 316 9800 or visit this web page.
Ms Anderson says she has been actively engaging with Thames Water representatives, pressing for clear and frequent updates to ensure residents are well-informed about expected repair timelines and she also called for Thames Water to ensure operational staff are in close coordination with local councils to manage the impact effectively.
The company says, “We’ve been in close contact with Richmond and Wandsworth Borough Council and TfL to implement the road closures and diversions needed to safely carry out this essential repair. We are very sorry to local residents and motorists for disruption during this time.
“Our representatives are also meeting with local councillors to discuss the ongoing repairs and to answer any questions they may have.”
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