Most of the time, we take running water for granted. Our homes are supplied with clean potable water and everything runs smoothly. But from time to time, there is a water supply disruption and the consequence to our daily lives is wide ranging.
Is it just me?
Check your water company’s reporting system to make sure it’s not just you without water. Depending on your relationship with your neighbours, you may wish to knock on a few doors and check that everyone is okay. Social media, particularly neighbourhood groups, can be helpful during a water supply interruption – but do beware of misinformation.
Getting help with water bills
Water companies can’t switch off your water for non-payment of bills because water is considered an essential service. But if you’ve fallen behind with your bills, talk to the water company and get support from Citizens Advice.
Follow the water company’s instructions
The organisation that supplies your water will have specific instructions on how to manage during a disruption.
Drinking water
The water company may ask you to boil water before drinking it, and they will have specific instructions for how to do this.
They may supply bottled water. This will be available from central pick-up points, and it can be difficult to access these if you don’t have a car. Consider how you will carry the bottles home – water is heavy, at a kilo a litre.
Some types of bottled water are not suitable for making up baby formula – readymade formula might be a better option.
Vulnerable people should have water delivered to them, which is why it’s a good idea to get on the water company’s vulnerability register if this applies to you. Use the priority services register website to find out how to join.
Supermarkets run out of water rapidly during a localised outage, but it’s possible to buy bottled water from Amazon relatively cheaply.
Sanitation during a water outage
Toilet flushing uses an enormous amount of water – and if you’re relying on bottled water during an outage, you’ll find you need a couple of 2L bottles for each flush. Water that you’ve used for washing can be re-used for toilet flushing, as can collected rainwater.
Keeping clean
Washing is a challenge when you have no water. Even basic hygiene is less of a priority than drinking. Take care when using a kettle to heat water for washing. Supervise children and use a bath thermometer to avoid scalds.
Camping and caravaning kit, like handwash stations and portable showers can be helpful during a water outage. Hand sanitiser and wet wipes are also helpful.
Laundrettes and gyms with shower facilities that are just outside the area with a supply disruption will be very busy. Friends and family who are not affected can be a lifeline in these circumstances!
When the water comes back on again
Restoration of the water supply can sometimes bring its own problems – heating and plumbing systems can suffer from airlocks and other issues after a prolonged outage. Local plumbers will be keen to help, but may be very busy. So familiarise yourself with tasks like turning off the water supply, releasing airlocks, bleeding radiators and repressurising your heating system.
Prepare for next time
Once you’ve got water again, take a moment to think about what went well and what went badly. For example, you might have wished you had a way of harvesting rainwater for flushing the toilet.
The UK government recommends keeping some bottled water at home in case of emergency. It says 10L per person per day is enough for drinking, cooking and hygiene.
Put any equipment like a portable shower or large water containers in your storage unit so they are not cluttering up your home but are ready for when you next need them. Camping and caravaning kit is covered by your self-storage insurance, too.
You may be owed compensation for a water outage. Citizens Advice has information about this.
Ready and resilient for a water outage
A water outage is inconvenient and worrying – but you can make life easier with basic preparations and by seeking support.
