Wirral water supplies update: Wednesday May 26 (10am)
26 May 2010
Water pressures for customers in the Wirral remain steady this morning (Wednesday May 26) as engineers from United Utilities make final preparations for the repair of a 36" valve.
Further work, which was carried out over night, has improved pressures for many people and, although there may be some people who experience intermittent low pressure, call volumes have reduced.
Engineers worked through the night at the site of the huge valve at the centre of the problem. Excavating around the valve and its associated equipment will continue throughout today in readiness for repair work to take place tonight. Two 22-tonne cranes are on site excavating a large hole up to nine metres deep in a farmer's field near Upton railway station.
In the meantime, giant super tankers will continue to pump thousands of litres of clean, chlorinated water directly into the mains to maintain supplies. These are backed up by tankers drafted in from Northumbrian Water, Yorkshire Water and Severn Trent. Eight tankers are pumping round the clock to maintain water levels at Gorsehill Service Reservoir.
Gary Dixon, Customer Services Director said: "This is a huge and complex operation and we are monitoring water supplies very closely as we prepare the process of repairing the valve tonight. The number of calls we're receiving from customers has reduced but if anyone does experience problems please let us know as soon as possible on 0845 746 2200 and we will respond.
"Once again, I'd like to thank people for their patience and co-operation. It's been a very difficult time for them. We are doing everything we can to restore the situation to normal."
Bottled water supplies have been brought to the area as a precaution and will be distributed as required.
United Utilities has confirmed that compensation will be paid to those affected by the incident and to customers in Moreton, Leasowe, and Wallasey areas of Wirral who were affected by a water loss incident last week.
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