Water supplies in Rock Ferry, New Ferry and Tranmere to be switched off tonight

Jan 7 2009 By Lorna Hughes

United Utilities

WATER supplies to 9,000 properties across Rock Ferry, New Ferry and Higher Tranmere will be shut off this evening (January 7).

United Utilities says supplies will be switched off at 8pm to allow emergency repairs to be carried to repair a leak on a main in Well Lane.

Water should be restored by 2am.

United Utilities’ network customer manager Paul Harrison said: "Previous attempts to repair the leak without interrupting water supplies have been unsuccessful.

"We have considered re-routing supplies to customers from a different part of the network so there would be no disruption whilst repairs were ongoing, but the risk of them experiencing discoloured water was too high.

"This has left us with no choice but to shut off the main and complete the repair.

"We would also usually carry out a shut-off after midnight but given the current inclement weather and the resulting rise in reported leaks we’ve had across our business area, we need to do it earlier in the evening.

"We are however leaving it until as late as we possibly can to carry out this essential work so customers’ supplies won’t be affected at teatime.

"We would suggest that customers store some supplies for essential use such as making warm drinks and flushing the toilet.

"We are very sorry for any inconvenience caused. We are doing everything possible to keep disruption levels to a minimum under difficult working conditions."