Water supply restored after 'challenging' repair

Thousands of residents have regained access to their water supply this evening after a "challenging" repair, a supplier has said.

About 2,600 people living in BS4 and BS14 postcodes in south Bristol had their supply cut off on Friday, after two leaks were discovered in the Hartcliffe area.

Knowle resident Raymond Perrett said it had been a "nightmare" living without a flushing toilet or shower while his grandchildren visited over the weekend.

A Bristol Water spokesperson confirmed on Monday evening that all properties in Hengrove and the surrounding area have now had their water restored.

Richard Stanbrook, Bristol Water's general manager, added: "We are very sorry for the disruption caused to customers and I would like to thank everyone for their continued patience."

A spokesperson for Bristol Water said their teams worked through the night and have completed the "challenging repair on a water main in Hartcliffe".

Work to reinstate supply started over the weekend when an initial leak was fixed, but had to dig a second time after another leak was identified.

Speaking to BBC Radio Bristol on Monday morning, Knowle resident Will Smith said he had been without water since Friday evening and had resorted to showering at a friend's house and flushing the toilets with water from a tank.

"With the second leak it got annoying because [Bristol Water] finished yesterday and then a second leak was detected. It was like 'oh no, not another one'," he said.

Smith said the second hole was about 5m (16ft) deep and that gas engineers had been called to site due to the proximity of gas pipes to the leak.

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