Water supply restored five days after mains burst

Water supplies have been fully restored five days after a burst mains left 40,000 homes across north Wales without water.

Welsh Water tackled further smaller bursts over the weekend as the system re-pressurised following the incident on Wednesday.

But the company said on Monday morning the supply was back to households, businesses and schools in the affected area of Conwy county.

"We can confirm that our network has now refilled and water supplies have been restored," a spokesperson said.

"All affected schools are now back on supply and alternative water supplies will continue to be in place today.

"We wish to apologise again for the inconvenience experienced by customers."

A burst pipe at a treatment plant in Dolgarrog, Conwy county, meant the water supply suffered a "catastrophic failure" that affected about 40,000 homes since Wednesday, closing some schools and businesses.

Some people were still without water on Sunday, including Robert Mawdesley in Colwyn Bay, who said he had been washing in the sink because he couldn't shower.

"I had a text from Welsh Water saying 90% were back on but apparently ours has got a pump in the woods that it's got to be fed to," he said.

Another Colwyn Bay resident, Brian Tehan, said he was thankful he took precautions before he lost his water supply on Thursday.

"I started filling up buckets, bottles and kettles in preparation and put the news around to friends and family," said Mr Tehan.

"I will be worried about those who were less nimble and didn't have those social contacts, those living alone who would be cut off and found the tap has run dry," he added.

Mr Tehan said dirty water supplies for flushing have lasted well, but he had used distribution centres to top up on drinking water.

There were reports from residents on social media on Saturday evening of a burst pipe on Pentywyn Hill in Deganwy, Llandudno, and also one in Fairways in Llandudno.

One woman in Fairways asked for sandbags at about 22:00 GMT on Saturday, saying house floors and garages were at risk of flooding.

Welsh Water said inspectors were out on the ground to help manage and mitigate any leaks so supplies can be maintained.

The damaged pipe in Dolgarrog was fixed on Friday afternoon, but the company had warned it could take 48 hours for supplies to return to normal.

Speaking to BBC Radio Wales Breakfast on Saturday, the company's chief executive, Peter Perry, said the system suffered a "catastrophic failure" caused by ground movement, which could not have been foreseen or prevented.

Bottled water stations have been set up at four stations in Conwy, running in Park Eirias in Colwyn, Zip World Conwy, Llandudno West Shore car park and Bodlondeb site and will continue to be in place on Monday.