Wirral water supplies: First picture of valve (2pm)

28 May 2010

This picture shows the 36" water valve at the heart of the recent water supply problems on the Wirral.

It shows the point, at about 8am this morning (Friday May 28), when the top of the valve was lifted off to reveal the first glimpse of why it had faulted.

The internal spindle used to operate the valve was broken, leaving the valve in the closed position.

Engineers from United Utilities are this afternoon working to repair the valve - a job which will take the rest of the day.

Meanwhile water supplies are being maintained by other means - including re-routing water along other pipes, tankers and a booster pump.

Once repairs are complete, engineers hope to start re-filling the main with water later this evening. The main will then need to be emptied and re-filled a further time to make sure drinking water is the best possible quality. The entire process is expected to take until the early hours of Sunday morning. 
 
CAPTION (Upton valve site): Engineer Cecil Thorn watches as the top is lifted from the faulty 36" valve in Upton.