'Do not drink water' warning could end in July

Thames Water says work to replace a pipe has been completed

A warning to more than 600 households in a Surrey village not to drink tap water could be lifted from early July.

Thames Water issued a "do not drink" notice to Bramley residents on 30 May, after a previous fuel leak from a petrol station in the village.

The company confirmed a section of pipe had now been replaced and road closures removed.

A spokesperson for the water company said: "We are sorry for the disruption this has caused but it was essential for us to carry out the work safely and efficiently."

The "do not drink" advice has been in place since May

They said "extensive testing" was being carried out with the new pipe in place and a full process for lifting the "do not drink" advice had been agreed with the UK Health Security Agency.

The water company previously said it believed hydrocarbons from petrol had contaminated the water supply.

Provided tests met the required standards, Thames Water said it hoped to be able to lift the notice in early July.

In a statement, the company said: "Your health and safety is the most important consideration to us so we will do everything thoroughly and only lift the 'do not drink' advice when we are entirely confident there is no risk.

"We are currently unable to provide a precise date when this will be complete but we will keep you informed."

It said residents could help by running kitchen taps for between five and 10 minutes each day, to help move the water around internal plumbing.

People affected were also warned that remedial works would continue to clean up the ground water contamination.

Thames Water said: "Unfortunately, due to the widespread nature of the fuel leak, we cannot be certain it will solve the problem once and for all."