Postcodes round Cranleigh, Dorking and in rural areas close to Crawley have woken as much as both low water stress or no provide in any respect. Thames Water stated the provision failure stemmed from “technical points” at its Netley Mill water remedy works.

Three stations throughout the affected area have now been opened so residents can entry water.

Photos from the scene present strains of individuals – together with a number of aged – queueing up for water within the warmth, drawing the ire of native councillors.

In a press release, Thames Water stated: “Our specialist engineers are on website and are working laborious to repair the problem as rapidly as attainable.

“We’ve been utilizing tankers to pump water into the native provide community to assist enhance the state of affairs.” 

It added: “We all know how worrying and disruptive it’s to be with out water, particularly on this scorching climate. Thanks to your continued persistence whereas we work to get provides again to regular.”

Bottle stations have been opened at Cranleigh Leisure Park, Surrey Hills Enterprise Park and Gomshall Village Sports activities and Social Membership.

Liz Townsend, a Surrey County Councillor, commented that she was “so offended to see numerous aged individuals trying careworn and frightened with no water, queueing up within the warmth”.

Jeremy Hunt, MP for South West Surrey, additionally drew anger after posting photos with Thames Water CEO Sarah Bentley on the bottom as the corporate works to repair the problem.

Graeme Le Saux, a former Chelsea defender, took intention on the former Tory well being minister, reacting: “One other PR stunt Jeremy.

“It’s all about you, is not it? While individuals undergo, you fortunately help mismanaged important infrastructure.”

Native supermarkets have reportedly been stripped of their bottled water, following Thames Water’s admission it had a “restricted” provide.

It comes as huge swathes of England had been yesterday (Friday) formally declared in drought.