A burst water main in West Molesey has cut off or reduced water supply for thousands of properties across London and Surrey, according to Thames Water.
Thames Water said around 6,000 properties are affected, though the company initially estimated as many as 15,000 homes could have been hit before engineers revised the figure downward, according to GB News.
Sources differ on the exact number of areas affected: BBC Sport and GB News reported seven boroughs are affected, including Kingston upon Thames, Merton, Richmond upon Thames, Sutton and Wandsworth in London, plus Elmbridge and Spelthorne in Surrey, while BBC News reported five London boroughs have no water or low pressure.
The Independent described thousands of homes as being without water in London and Surrey following major pipe bursts.
How each side covered it
Left
- The Independent reported thousands of homes without water in London and Surrey after major pipe bursts.
“Thousands of homes without water in London and Surrey after major pipe bursts” — The Independent
Center
- BBC Sport reported seven boroughs had water supply issues, according to Thames Water.
- BBC News reported five London boroughs had no water or low pressure, according to Thames Water.
- Both BBC reports attributed figures directly to Thames Water.
“Five London boroughs have no water or low pressure, Thames Water says” — BBC News
Right
- GB News reported the outage stemmed from a burst main in West Molesey.
- GB News said about 6,000 properties were without water or had low pressure.
- GB News noted Thames Water's initial estimate of up to 15,000 affected homes was later reduced.
- GB News listed seven affected boroughs: Kingston upon Thames, Merton, Richmond upon Thames, Sutton, Wandsworth, Elmbridge and Spelthorne.
“Huge water outage affects thousands of Britons across seven boroughs” — GB News
Questions readers ask
What happened with the water outage in London and Surrey?
A burst water main in West Molesey left thousands of properties across London and Surrey without water or with low pressure, according to Thames Water.
How many homes were affected?
Thames Water said about 6,000 properties were affected, after initially estimating as many as 15,000 homes could have been hit, according to GB News.
Which areas were affected?
Reports disagree: BBC Sport and GB News cited seven boroughs, including Kingston upon Thames, Merton, Richmond upon Thames, Sutton, Wandsworth, Elmbridge and Spelthorne, while BBC News cited five London boroughs.
Who is responsible for addressing the outage?
Thames Water, the utility company, confirmed the outage and is the source of information about the burst main and affected properties.
Sources · 4 outlet reports
- The IndependentLeft-leaningThousands of homes without water in London and Surrey after major pipe bursts
- BBC NewsCenterFive London boroughs have no water or low pressure, Thames Water says
- BBC SportCenterSeven boroughs with water supply issues, Thames Water says
- GB NewsRight-leaningHuge water outage affects thousands of Britons across seven boroughs