Mum with newborn without water after mains cut

A mother and her two young children have been without water for more than 24 hours despite requesting emergency supplies after damage to a water main.

South West Water said it began delivering bottled water to priority and vulnerable customers on Tuesday after a third party damaged a water main in Trebartha, Cornwall.

Lucy Greenstreet, 30, from Launceston, who recently underwent a Caesarean section, was told a delivery would be sent as "a matter of urgency" as she could not collect water while caring for her four‑year‑old and newborn. She said nothing had arrived more than a day later, leaving her in a "very vulnerable position".

The firm said it would always do what it could to help.

The water outage has seen some schools close and others delay opening until it had secured delivery of bottled water.

Greenstreet, 30, said she noticed the loss of water on Tuesday morning and tried to buy bottled water from a supermarket but it was already sold out.

She said she rang the water company to request a delivery of bottled water as she was unable to drive to a bottle collection point due to having had a Caesarean section.

She said: "I was told by South West Water that water would be delivered urgently as I am on the priority list anyway, but that, with two young children, one being a newborn, I would receive water as a matter of urgency.

"Needless to say I never got the delivery. I still haven't got the delivery."

She said a "trickle" of water was coming from the tap which she used to fill a jug and boil for her newborn's feeds but it was not enough to wash or shower.

"I called South West Water a number of times and messaged them on Facebook and WhatsApp to be told I'll have water delivered, but still haven't," she said.

"As much as everyone I spoke to at South West Water was lovely and polite, I have been left in a very vulnerable position when I was meant to be priority due to my very young children."

She said water was "essential" to her household and "thankfully" family members in Bude were able to deliver her some bottles of water.

SWW said: "When an incident like this happens, our teams provide bottled water proactively to customers on our Priority Services Register to make sure those with the highest medical or mobility needs receive support first.

"This customer was due to receive bottled water today as part of this process and we have bottled water stations open on Pennygillam way and Trethorne Leisure Park.

"However, we encourage any customers who may be in need to additional support to contact our teams and we will always do what we can to help."

The utility said about the water main that the "vast majority of customers in Launceston, Tregadillet and the surrounding areas" had had their water supply fully restored.

"A small number of customers may still be experiencing low pressure or a temporary loss of supply, but this is normal following this type of situation due to trapped air in the pipes," it said.

"We would like to reassure our customers that this is only temporary and does not affect water quality. We will continue to keep customers updated."

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