No water 6th day in

[NoWater]

Sorry I'm posting here for traffic as wanted to see how many are affected and what you're all doing about it.

We're in Kent and we've had no water for almost a week. Apparently a fault in the pipes in freezing temperature then a big thaw yesterday which burst even more pipes.

We can't keep ourselves clean, wash our clothes, the dishes, flush toilets, clean our house. AND IT'S NEARING CHRISTMAS!!!

They're giving out free bottles of water but that won't help us with the majority of problems we have.

What are other people doing to solve the issue?
We are at the end of tether...

We lost water in the 2007 floods.
My husband stayed home to look after the pets- he commuted to work at that point and was able to shower there.
I moved into my parents and did a laundry run for him every few days, and he mainly ate outside in the garden and/or used paper plates.

It was very difficult at the time, you have my huge sympathy going through the same now.

I am in the same situation. Do you know anyone with water? We are drinking half an hour to my DS’s three times a day to refill our 40 litre water bottles we bought when it first happened.
Its awful isn’t it, I’ll never take running water for granted again.

Gosh that sounds hard.
In practical terms, based on my experience as a camper, I would:

1. Make sure you have heat, use electric heaters.

1. Baby wipes can keep your bodies hygienic. You can buy bigger ones online if you prefer that are made fir people who can't bathe for mobility reasons.

1. Dry shampoo can help for a few days but no more. You can buy hair shampoo caps online to wash hair without water. They are made for people who can't bathe for mobility reasons. You may need a medicated shampoo once your water is back if your scalp gets dry from this.

1. Paper plates, disposable cutlery etc.

1. Is there a laundrette that has water that you can get to? Prioritise underwear and socks. Hang everything else to air well. Buy underwear and socks if needs be.

1. Can you get to public buildings for toilets eh swimming baths, library? If you can do this for poops. Wees should be OK in the loo at home. Locally, our council has opened up some of their buildings in the evenings as warm places, check your local council website.

1. Look out for other families, vulnerable neighbours etc who will also be struggling.

1. Write to the water providers senior management, insist on bring reimbursed for all out of pocket expenses. Contact local councillors too for support.

It is very challenging living without water, and six days is a long time, especially when you're no doubt holding down jobs, school etc. Be kind to yourselves, you will get through this.

I know whereabouts you are and it's really bad! I really hope it's sorted out asap! Maybe a trip to the leisure centre for showers etc.

Thanks all.

@DelilahsHaven thanks for these tips, very helpful and reassuring. We're just so fed up, all our neighbours are fed up and the problem is growing into other areas.

It's made us realise how much water we use in our daily lives. As someone says, we will never take water for granted. Same goes to gas and electricity of course. We're lucky that we still have central heating.

Hope you all have a lovely Christmas 🎄

We filled the big add blue containers with water from river and peoples garden water butts to flush toilet
once toilet issue sorted could manage everything else

Water is one of the three basic necessities of life, and arguably the biggest - think of the rule of three. 6 days without is ridiculous. We are not a rural nation, people have been specifically disenfranchised of having any access to resources of their own, and then control has been handed to private companies for the profit of shareholders. The system needs to work, or to be abandoned.

To add to Delilah’s tips, collect waste water from cooking and use that to flush the toilet. Do not throw one drop! You may have to use antibacterial wipes on plates as well, not ideal but needs must. Germs will build otherwise - get them wiped and then use disposable. As Delilah says keep track of specific costs and get them reimbursed.

Get your MP involved if not as well. We’ve just had some water shortages and he was able to put some pressure on the water company and inform locals too. Stay tuned to a local radio. Later get them to ask some serious questions about a 6 day failure.

Wow, 6 days is a long time to be off water. Horrible.
The latest episode of the waterfall podcast, called "Know Your Rights", was released last Friday. It will be of interest to you (and others affected).
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/23-know-your-water-rights/id1535453330?i=1000600180146
(it's also on google, spotify, deezer - where ever you get podcasts from)

And Kent is without water again…

Yup! Third day without water. Lovely

We are day 6 of no water again! They’ve started pumping out undrinkable water for flushing toilets and washing, but NHS advises against bathing children. That makes me wonder whether it’s safe for adults to shower, and reminds me of the Camelford incident
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camelford_water_pollution_incident