Drinking water restriction lifted at school, MP says

The Asda petrol station in Bramley boarded upImage source, BBC/Daniel Sexton
Image caption,

In May, a "do not drink" order was issued in Bramley by Thames Water

  • Published

Drinking water restrictions at a school in Surrey have been lifted in time for the children's return from their summer break, the local MP and former chancellor Jeremy Hunt has said.

Thames Water issued the “do not drink” notice to more than 600 homes in Bramley on 30 May after a fuel leak from a petrol station on Station Road.

This was lifted in July after the broken pipework was replaced and samples from nearby homes came back clear.

The lifting of the notice at St Catherine's School marked the end of restrictions in the village.

Image source, BBC/Daniel Sexton
Image caption,

Restrictions on not drinking tap water were lifted in July

Mr Hunt, MP for Godalming & Ash, said Thames Water’s testing of the school site had come back clean.

Posting on Instagram, he said: “I’m pleased to confirm Thames Water today released the final drinking water restriction for the last section of St Catherine’s School.

“This follows extensive testing and compliance with the rigorous requirements of the UK Health Security Agency.

"This is really excellent news ahead of St Catherine’s new term and everyone back to school next week."

Meetings have also taken place with Asda, which currently runs the petrol station, he added.

Asda previously said it inherited the issue when it bought the site.

Two other schools, Bramley Oak Academy and Gosden House School, previously had the "do not drink" notice lifted.

This happened at Gosden House School on 18 July, Thames Water said.

A spokesperson said the notice had been removed from St Catherine’s School on Thursday.

They added: "There are now no properties on a restriction of use in Bramley, Surrey.

"The removal of the notice follows the replacement of three supply pipes in close proximity to the petrol station and an extensive sampling and testing programme."

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