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Pipe left leaking for four weeks

From the archive, first published Monday 4th Aug 2003.

Thames Water has been criticised for wasting water after taking a month to fix a leaking pipe.

Water was flowing down a road in Harcourt Way, Wantage, for four weeks before the company repaired a leaking underground pipe in nearby Hans Avenue.

Town councillor Pat Brundle, who lives in Harcourt Way, and Tania Hoare, who works at Ardington Electrics, in Hans Avenue, informed Thames Water of the problem.

But contractors did not fix the leak until Thursday.

Mrs Brundle said: "I'm disgusted that it's taken so much fuss to get this sorted out.

"I phoned them three weeks ago to tell them about it and they said it would be fixed.

"A week later, nothing had been done, so I called again. Then someone left a message on my answer phone telling me it couldn't be fixed for another two weeks.

"Water companies warn us to go carefully, especially during the summer, but then this happens. What a waste."

Ms Hoare said: "That part of the road was constantly wet and started to turn a slimy green colour."

Thames Water apologised for the delay. A spokesman said: "A technician went out on July 18, but found that because of the road surface a digger would be needed.

"We want to clamp down on leaks and are working very hard to improve our figures on leakage."

Anyone who spots a water leak is asked to call Thames Water on 0800 714614 or 0845 9200 800.

Earlier this week, Thames Water was `named and shamed' by the Environment Agency as a bad polluter.

The firm was fined a total of £135,000 last year in seven separate prosecutions.