Water supplies have been restored for some properties across west Devon following a burst main, South West Water (SWW) has said. The water company said at about 07:30 BST on Wednesday its customers should now be back in supply, but some schools and businesses said they were still not restored. Thousands of propertiesin Plymouth, Bere Alston, Yelverton, and Tavistock lost supplies following a burst water main on Sunday. On Tuesday, SWW said the 13,000 properties who experienced a loss of water supply wouldreceive £200 compensation. A spokesperson for SWW said: "We are pleased to say that customers should now be back in supply. "We want to apologise again for the inconvenience this has caused, but we would also like to thank all of our customers for their patience and kindness to our teams on the ground providing bottled water." Whitchurch Community Primary School said it had taken the decision to close for the second day in a row as it was experiencing "water issues". On social media, the school said: "I apologise in advance for any disruption caused. "I hope you all manage to access some water today and hopefully see everyone back at school tomorrow." Devon County Council also confirmed Bickleigh Down Church Of England Primary School, in Plymouth, was closed on Wednesday due to the lack of water. Horrabridge Primary School, which was closed due to having no water on Tuesday, said it still did not have supplies on Wednesday but would be opening to its students. The head teacher said SWW was providing the school with 12 portable toilets which were due to arrive before 09:00. Bere Alston Primary Academy said it had to send students home on Wednesday morning due to having no water. The school said it had water supplies when it checked at about 07:00 but by 09:30 it had gone again. It said the school had attempted to contact SWW, but had been unable to speak to the company. SWW has been contacted for more information. The Nuffield Health Devonshire leisure centre in Derriford, Plymouth, said it remained closed due to the water issues, as well as Plymouth Marjon University, including the Marjon Sport and Health Centre. SWW said its water network was "back in operation". It said: "It can take time for water to flow throughout the network due to topography and increasing demand, but we are monitoring our systems carefully and can confirm water is flowing throughout the network." Customers still experiencing ongoing problems as isolated issues were likely to be affected by an air lock, SWW said, and those affected should contact it. Four bottled water stations it has set up will remain open until 22:00 on Wednesday, and staff will continue to make deliveries to its priority service customers. The stations are located at The George Park and Ride, Bere Alston Bowling Club, Knightstone Tearooms in Yelverton and Morrisons in Tavistock. Fred Thomas, MP for Plymouth Moor View, said on Wednesday residents were "furious" and could not understand why SWW had communicated "so poorly". He said: "Despite assurances from SWW yesterday it would be back this morning, schools and businesses [are] deciding this morning they cannot open." Thomas said he had also "demanded an improved compensation package". He said in the company has told him the total payment for household customers was expected to be £250, and the figure for business customers was expected to be £500. On Tuesday, the company said household customers would receive £200, and businesses £400. SWW said: "Recognising the impact on customers and communities, we will credit impacted customers as set out in our revised Customer Promise for 2025, guaranteeing a £50 payment per 12 hours without service, and £50 for each subsequent 12-hour period. "This is over and above the current statutory amounts of £20 per 12 hours, and £10 per subsequent 24-hour period. The total payment to household customers is expected to be £250. "Business customers will receive a £100 payment per 12 hours and £100 for each subsequent 12-hour period, again over and above the current statutory payments of £50 per 12 hours and £25 for each subsequent 12-hour period." The company said as water cames back into service, it was normal to expect discolouration, which should clear after running the cold kitchen tap. "It is also common for air to become trapped in the supply, or within the internal plumbing," SWW said. Customers still experiencing no water have been advised by the water company to follow "simple steps" to check for air locks. It said to turn on the internal stop-tap on and off three times to release any air while the cold kitchen tap was running, and to check the external stop-tap was open, if safe to do so. Follow BBC Devon onX,FacebookandInstagram. Send your story ideas tospotlight@bbc.co.uk.
Water back for some but schools closed after burst
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Partial Restoration of Water Supply in West Devon Amid School Closures Following Burst Main"
Bbc News
7.9
TruthLens AI Summary
Water supplies have been partially restored in west Devon after a significant disruption caused by a burst water main that affected thousands of properties in Plymouth, Bere Alston, Yelverton, and Tavistock. South West Water (SWW) announced that as of 07:30 BST on Wednesday, many customers should have their water supply restored. However, several schools and businesses reported ongoing issues, leading to closures. SWW has acknowledged the inconvenience caused and has pledged compensation of £200 to the approximately 13,000 properties affected by the water outage. The company expressed gratitude for the patience shown by customers during this challenging time, particularly in light of the support provided to their teams distributing bottled water to those in need.
The impact of the water supply issues extended to local educational institutions, with multiple schools, including Whitchurch Community Primary School and Bickleigh Down Church of England Primary School, opting to close due to insufficient water supplies. Some schools managed to remain open by arranging alternative solutions, such as portable toilets provided by SWW. As residents expressed frustration over the lack of communication from SWW, local MP Fred Thomas demanded an improved compensation package, citing that residents were confused by the inconsistent information regarding service restoration. SWW is also taking steps to address ongoing issues, advising customers on how to resolve potential air locks in their plumbing systems and assuring them that they are monitoring the situation closely. Four bottled water stations have been established to assist those still without water, and these will remain operational until later in the evening. The company has also emphasized that discolored water may occur as supplies return to normal but should clear shortly after running a tap.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article outlines the impact of a burst water main in west Devon, which has led to significant disruptions in water supply, particularly affecting schools and businesses. It highlights the efforts of South West Water (SWW) to address the situation while also addressing the concerns of the affected community.
Community Response and Sentiment
The information relayed in the article indicates a sense of community disruption and frustration. The closures of schools like Whitchurch Community Primary School and Bickleigh Down Church Of England Primary School due to water supply issues reflect a broader concern for public health and safety. The reported apologies from SWW and the compensation offer of £200 to affected households seem aimed at mitigating negative sentiments and maintaining goodwill among the residents. The tone conveys an acknowledgment of the inconvenience caused while emphasizing the company's efforts to restore services.
Hidden Agendas or Concerns
The article does not explicitly indicate any concealed agendas; however, the focus on compensation may be a strategy to prevent escalating dissatisfaction among customers. By emphasizing the financial recompense, SWW could be attempting to divert attention from the underlying infrastructure issues that led to the burst main.
Reliability and Manipulation Potential
The reliability of the report appears high, as it includes direct quotes from SWW and acknowledges the experiences of multiple schools and community members. However, there is a potential for manipulation in the way SWW's responses are framed to present the company in a more favorable light. The emphasis on customer patience and gratitude towards the workforce could be seen as an attempt to shift blame away from the company’s infrastructure shortcomings.
Public and Economic Impact
In terms of public perception, this situation may lead to diminished trust in local utilities if infrastructure failures are frequent. Economically, schools' closures could affect parents' work schedules and local businesses, potentially leading to broader economic implications. The article could resonate more with families and local community members who prioritize education and public services.
Connection to Broader Issues
While this incident may seem localized, it reflects broader concerns regarding aging infrastructure in many regions. Such stories often resonate in national discourse surrounding public utilities and government responsibility.
Stock Market and Investment Implications
From an investment perspective, companies involved in water supply and infrastructure might see scrutiny as a result of this incident. Investors may be cautious about utilities that face operational challenges, potentially affecting their stock performance.
Global Context
The article does not directly relate to global power dynamics but highlights local governance issues within public utilities, which can be an indicator of larger systemic challenges present in many communities worldwide.
Use of Artificial Intelligence
It is unlikely that AI played a significant role in the article's writing. If AI were utilized, it might have influenced the structure of the report or the phrasing of certain sentences, but the content appears predominantly generated by human reporting.
In conclusion, the article serves to inform the public about a localized issue while attempting to maintain a positive image for the utility company involved. The reliability of the information seems sound, but the framing could suggest an intent to manage public perception proactively.