People in north Shropshire have been counting the cost this week after a main water pipe feeding Ellesmere burst – leading to low pressure or their supply being cut off altogether.
Up to 500 homes and businesses in and around the town were affected on Monday after the pipe burst in the early hours of the morning.
Severn Trent cordoned off part of the A495 Oswestry to Ellesmere Road and installed temporary traffic lights to carry out repairs, which were completed by mid afternoon. In a bid to minimise disruption, Severn Trent were also “re-zoning” water into the area by bringing water in through different pipes.
They received about 100 calls from customers without water in the morning while many residents, businesses and organisations, including cafes, the medical centre and the nursing home, had low pressure throughout the morning, but said they managed to get by.
Lincoln McMullan, who lives and works on Scotland Street, said while he had water, the pressure was very low. “I managed to get a shower this morning although it was on low. It hasn’t really affected me because we have some water, it’s just annoying.”
Ann and Sadie Otway, owners of the Coco cafe on Scotland Street, said they also had low pressure and it took a while for the coffee machine and sink to fill up, but it was business as usual.
Brian Felstead, of Diksmuide Drive, Ellesmere, said: “I got up at 7am, there wasn’t much pressure.”
Brian Henson, of Dudleston Heath, added: “It was a bit of an inconvenience but not too bad.” He said their supply was “slow, almost non existent” but was given an explanation on ringing Severn Trent. “We had enough water in the house to get by. With low pressure the shower didn’t work,” he added.
Shropshire Council said there were no problems at Lakelands School or the town’s swimming pool.
By James Pugh
