Burst pipes close schools, residents without water

A water pipe burst in Winsover Road, Spalding

About 3,000 properties have been left without water or with low pressure after two mains pipes burst in Spalding.

A burst water main in Haverfield Road has forced the closure of Spalding Grammar School and has been causing problems for homes since Tuesday.

It has also forced the closure of South Holland District Council offices in nearby Priory Road, and Munchkins Kindergarten, which has had to send all 60 of its children home. There is another burst water main in Winsover Road.

Workers from Anglian Water are on the scene fixing the issues. The company has stated that water in the area is expected to be running as usual by 20:00 BST on Thursday.

A spokesperson apologised, and said its team had to turn off the water supply completely to carry out the necessary repairs. The team was "working as quickly as they can to get everything sorted," they said.

"In the meantime, we'll be delivering bottled water directly to affected customers' homes today."

Spalding man Bob Blackadder has resorted to boiling water he stored in his bath two days ago to wash and shave

Resident Bob Blackadder said he has been without water since Tuesday.

When he realised the water pressure in his home was low, he managed to run his bath and save some water.

By Thursday, he said, he was considering staying off work because of the lack of water, but had some left in his bath. "I scooped out a saucepan full of water and boiled it on the gas so I could have a shave and a wash," he said.

Rachel Beresford, who runs the nursery and pre-school, said: "All of our water has gone off so we've had to call every parent in the setting to collect their children, we've had families come from as far away from Lincoln."

A district council spokesperson also apologised for the "continued disruption and inconvenience", and reminded residents that its staff remained contactable via webchat, phone or email.

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