Health fears as Brimpsfield water cut off on hottest days

June 27, 2026 - 00:01

Residents of Brimpsfield have voiced anger and health concerns after their water supply was cut off for 48 hours during the hottest days of the year. The village, located in Gloucestershire, relies on Thames Water for its supply, but locals say the company failed to provide adequate warning or support as temperatures soared.

One resident described the situation as "unacceptable," noting that elderly neighbours and families with young children were particularly affected. Without running water, people could not flush toilets, shower, or prepare food safely. Some were forced to buy bottled water from shops miles away, while others relied on neighbours with private wells.

Thames Water has blamed the outage on a combination of high demand and a burst main. A spokesperson said crews worked around the clock to restore the supply, but residents claim the response was too slow. "We were told it would be fixed in a few hours, but it took two days," another villager said.

Health experts warn that prolonged water cuts during extreme heat can lead to dehydration and heatstroke, especially among vulnerable groups. The incident has reignited criticism of the UK's ageing water infrastructure, with calls for urgent investment to prevent similar failures in the future. Thames Water has apologised and said it is reviewing its emergency response procedures.