24 May 2010
Water is now flowing again through the pipes of thousands of homes in the Wallasey Village area, but some customers may experience very low water pressure for the rest of today. We are really sorry for leaving customers without water, particularly in this hot weather. We also regret that, due to the complexity of the repair, we have not been able to give customers more specific advice on when they can expect to return to a normal service.
Large water tankers are being used to pour thousands of gallons of water into the local water network, while engineers continue to work to fix a damaged water valve located in a farmer's field, adjacent to Ford Road on the Beechwood Estate.
Engineers have been working throughout Sunday night to erect a large scaffolding platform, and move overhead electricity lines, in order to work on the giant valve, which is the size of a small family car. Thousands of bottles of water were distributed to affected customers on Sunday afternoon.
Today, United Utilities confirmed that it would automatically be paying compensation to those affected by the incident, and to customers in Moreton, Leasowe, and Wallasey areas who were affected last week by an unrelated water loss incident, caused by a leak on a water pipe at Reeds Lane.
Specialist engineers are back on site this morning repairing the large 36" diameter valve.
Until the valve is back in full working order, the local network will continue to be filled from water tanks.
United Utilities said customers will experience low pressure in the area until is work is completed, but they are monitoring water pressure hourly.
Gary Dixon, the firms' customer services director said, "I sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused. I want to reassure all those affected that we will be paying compensation - customers do not need to phone us, we will contact them. We already know who has been without water or suffered low water pressure and will be in touch. It is very unusual to have two water loss incidents in the same area, in such quick succession. We can assure customers we are doing everything possible to return things to normal."
ENDS