No Water

[43tripandskip]

I live in South West London in a flat with my husband. For the last two days we've had no water due to burst water pipes in the streets. It's not until you go without, that you realise what a precious commodity water is. Not only can you not wash your hands, but you can't wash up, use the toilet, cook or clean your teeth. The local shops have all sold out of water, and we have half a bottle of water left.

This morning I attempted to take my pred and other tablets with one gulp of water. We washed ourselves with hand wipes and are now going out to find a shopping area of London that has water. Perhaps we can use the loo, have breakfast and wash our hands. Ah! Luxury!

[Hidden]

Oh sounds awful.... I'm so sorry. I hope you find water today and this whole situation isn't stressing you out too much!

[43tripandskip in reply to Hidden]

Thank Mamic. According to the National News, it seems that these leaks are to be found all over England. We're just glad that we don't have young children, it must be a nightmare for young families in this situation.

[43tripandskip in reply to 43tripandskip]

I also meant to add that we're also thankful that the weather has turned milder as we can't use the central heating.

[Hidden in reply to 43tripandskip]

As they say, "When it rains...."

[Hollyseden]

And as they also say..... you never miss the water till the well runs dry 🙄 can't imagine being without water for so long! Have had the odd occasion when water has been off for a few hours but for days must be dreadful. Love your positive sounding attitude. Hope you find somewhere nice to have breakfast with nice flushing loos and heat, hope your water is back on soon too.

[43tripandskip in reply to Hollyseden]

Yes, we found a Marks & Spencer cafe, and rather like Lady MacBeth, I washed my hands in beautiful hot water, over and over again!!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

We had similar situation when I was staying with daughter in NZ. Because she lives in Rural area she’s not on mains water, but has a tank which feeds her house, 2 others and the farm. Unfortunately the main pipe is housed in a small shed which the sheep managed to infiltrate during bad weather (remnants of tropical storm). Result they broke the pipe, so no water to tank!

They are quite used to water problems especially after a storm when the water runs off the mountains and treatment works can’t cope. Regularly have to boil!

It did bring home to me how much we rely on, and take for granted, clean “on tap” water.

Hope you find somewhere to accommodate all your needs 😊

[43tripandskip in reply to DorsetLady]

Can't really blame sheep for breaking the pipes in the High Street in London. An interesting thought however!

[Hidden]

Glad it's warmer. Hopefully the water will be back on. Now it's warmers they may do a stand pipe or tanker. It's things like that that make me want to keep a pile of water. My sister had has lots of water and electric cuts when kids were little. Nightmare. Get stocked up so you can take pills too. Horrible enough without getting pills stuck halfway down.

[43tripandskip in reply to Hidden]

Just got back from our shopping expedition for bottles of water and bumped into my lovely neighbour who is always willing to help out. "Didn't you know that Thames Water set up a distribution centre in Balham and are giving away free water? It's all on Twitter. Unfortunately, they've given it all away now."

I'm not a Twitterer and my use of the computer and phone is limited. There must be a lot of older people who are like me and depend on tv news for information but they're probably not as fortunate as me to have a car to carry heavy water back home.

[Hidden in reply to 43tripandskip]

That is terrible. I am 56 and wouldn't touch Twitter and only have my smartphone. You will have to make sure your neighbour tells you if still off. At least it probably meant you were able to buy ones that may have sold out to twitter users.

[Grants148]

I am so sorry that you are affected by the recent bad weather, water is very much needed by us all.lalso feel for those who have lost their electricity supply,how an earth can they keep warm,if they rely entirely on electricity they can,t even make a hot drink. I hope you will soon get your water supply back.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Grants148]

For those of us who lived through the 3 day week in the early 70s (baby son only a few months old) old habits die hard.

Just in case - I dug out a new (never used in anger) camping gaz contraption complete with new canister and mini kettle last week. To be honest I forgot I’d got it, and it was at the back of the cupboard!

You can probably tell I was a girl guide and married to a professional soldier! Just call me “Mrs Smug”

[Hidden]

Hope it's being fixed for you. We are totally reliant on supplied utilities. Can't go out & collect firewood for a cauldron boil up can we or stick a kettle on the coal fire. Water is the need for all life. Under investment in basic utility needs for us all. Big problem! Some bottom kicking required.

[43tripandskip in reply to Hidden]

When I was a child, my aunt had an old water pump in her back garden. To get it to work you had to put a big cup of water into the top of it to make it work.

[Hidden in reply to 43tripandskip]

She always had water stored to do that! Tough generations gone! No excuse for the under investment this country though with some cold weather!!

[GOOD_GRIEF in reply to 43tripandskip]

That's called "priming the pump", a phrase Donald Trump thinks he originated, that no one had ever thought of before.

Yes, it's funny. Too bad it's not a joke.

[GCA1947]

Some years ago British Government circulated a pamphlet to all householders that they should keep a reasonable supply of water available in their houses in case of civil unrest and a threat to our water supplies. 6 x 1.5 litres bottles cost very little and Janet and I continued to build up a stock keeping the bottles that were passed their use by date for personal washing, steaming vegetables, washing dishes etc. A set aside quantity was reserved for drinking.

I hope your services are soon repaired.

Colin

[York54]

I live in Birmingham, we too were without water yesterday. It's back on today, but we realised also how much we take it for granted!! Two local supermarkets were giving out bottled water provided by Severn Trent Water. Luckily we had some already at home but local news said roads were gridlocked as people tried to make their way to the shops to get water!! The beast from the east has a lot to answer for!!😉😉😉😉😉

[Loriel]

Hmm I wonder if there was any snow around for you to scoop up and melt it on the stove

Just a thought ha!

Sorry I have this fiendish and wicked sense of humour. Hee-he.

[43tripandskip in reply to Loriel]

No snow, but the water came on again after several days. So no need for foraging!