Engineers work to restore water supplies before Christmas
Homes in Hampshire and Sussex have seen their taps run dry
Last updated 22nd Dec 2022
Engineers are "urgently" working to restore water supplies across Hampshire and Sussex before Christmas Day.
Households in and around Southampton, Winchester and Chandlers Ford, have suffered low pressure or a loss of supply since Wednesday.
Southern Water is warning more could be affected in the coming hours.
Emergency supplies of bottled water have been delivered to the east and south park and ride sites in Winchester and Places Leisure in Eastleigh.
Bosses said a rapid thaw of frozen pipes has increased the number of bursts and leaks putting pressure on the network.
Water companies are working to ensure tens of thousands of homes in large parts of Sussex, Kent and Hampshire are reconnected by the weekend.
South East Water said it is "committed to getting its customers who are currently without water back in supply by Christmas Day if not sooner".
The firm said there had been a 300% increase in the number of bursts and about 5,000 properties were still affected on Wednesday.
A South East Water statement said: "It is impossible to predict which pipes will burst and where, and we're working 24 hours a day to find and repair these bursts and leaks as quickly as possible.
"We have also used tankers to inject more water into the system to keep supplies going for as long as possible.
"We're seeing a lot of demand on the network and ask you to check your lofts, airing cupboards and outside taps for leaks if you're able to."
Southern Water said in a statement: "Throughout the day, our teams have worked hard to minimise the impact of restricting water to our customers.
"The significant pressure on our network means that demand continues to outstrip supply. We have had to make some difficult decisions to ensure that we protect critical infrastructure across Hampshire such as local hospitals."
The statement added: "More bottled water stations will be opening pn Thursday and we'll confirm locations and times on our social media channels and on our website.
"We are very sorry for the disruption and inconvenience this is causing, particularly in the days before Christmas. We are working as hard as we can resume services by Sunday."
Caroline Nokes, MP for Romsey and Southampton North, tweeted: "I've asked Southern Water to set up a bottled water station in Southampton - not acceptable that the closest one is the park and ride at Winchester.
"Appreciate the network is under extreme pressure, but residents reliant on public transport cannot get to Winchester tonight."
"Leaks within properties can cause extensive damage which can be costly to repair."