90% of water supply restored despite overnight interruptions

Water supply has been restored to 90% of households after major disruption despite more explosions overnight.

However, people in Colwyn Bay, Old Colwyn, Lisphen and Llandudlus – all in the county of Conwy – woke up on Sunday morning for a fourth day without water and would have to wait until the afternoon for supplies to be restored.

The impact is believed to have been caused by a pipe burst at a treatment plant in Dolgarrog 40,000 houses from WednesdayClosing some schools and businesses.

Welsh Water said it repaired several small leaks and bursts overnight as the system came back under pressure after being emptied.

Some people were still without water as of Sunday afternoon, including Robert Mawdesley of Colwyn Bay, who said he was still washing clothes in the sink because he couldn’t shower.

“I had a message from Welsh Water saying it was 90% back but apparently we have a pump in the woods to feed it water,” he said.

Another Colwyn Bay resident, Brian Tehan, said he was grateful they took precautions before the water supply was shut off on Thursday, but he was concerned for those who don’t.

“I started filling buckets, bottles and kettles in preparation and broke the news to friends and family,” Mr Tehan said.

“I would be worried about people who were less agile and didn’t have the social contacts, who lived alone, to lose touch and find that the tap has run dry,” he said.

Mr Tehan said supplies of dirty water for flushing were running well, but he had used distribution centers to supplement drinking water.

There were reports on social media on Saturday evening from residents of a burst pipe at Deganwy, Pentywyn Hill in Llandudno and The Fairways in Llandudno.

A woman in Fairways, asking for sandbags at about 22:00 GMT on Saturday, commented that the house floor and garage were in danger of flooding.

Welsh Water said inspectors were on the ground to help manage and mitigate any leaks so supplies could be maintained.

The damaged pipe in Dolgarrog was repaired on Friday afternoon, but the company warned it could take 48 hours for supplies to return to normal.

talking to bbc radio wales breakfast On Saturday, the company’s chief executive, Peter Perry, said the incident was a “catastrophic failure” caused by ground movement that could not have been predicted or prevented.

Bottled water stations have been installed at four stations in Conwy, operating at Park Arias, Zip World Conwy, Llandudno West Shore Car Park and the Bodlondeb site in Colwyn.

Welsh Water said on Sunday that alternative water supplies would continue.