Southern Water: MP wants urgent debate over loss of water

Households and businesses across Southampton, Eastleigh and Winchester had no running water due to an issue with supplies. 

Southern Water reported a fault at the company's Otterbourne site.

Yesterday, 3,500 customers were still without water after problems began on Wednesday. Supply was starting to return.

READ MORE: Southern Water customers left high and dry as water pressure dips - again

On Thursday, around 13,000 properties were affected. 

Now, a Southampton MP is calling for an inquiry into Southern Water and for a debate in parliament on the firm's failings.

This is the second time in two months that homes have been left without water. 

A bottled water station at opened at Cantell School in Violet Road, Southampton (Image: Newsquest)

Romsey and Southampton North MP Caroline Nokes said she would ask the speaker of the House of Commons to grant an urgent debate next week. 

Speaking to the BBC, she said: "We need to make sure that we have a consistent and reliable supply of clean drinking water into homes across the city of Southampton.

"At the moment we don't, so I think it's perfectly reasonable to describe this as a mess."

SEE ALSO: Southern Water should cut household bills after supply failures

Liz Jarvis, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Eastleigh, called for the company's licence to be revoked. 

Liz Jarvis, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Eastleigh (Image: Liz Jarvis)

She said: "This is the second incident in two months where residents in Eastleigh have been left without a water supply and it's simply not good enough.

"Before Christmas thousands of households were left without water for days.

"The whole thing stinks. Serious questions need to be asked about what is going on at Southern Water. 

"It's time for Southern Water's licence to be revoked."

Southern Water opened three bottled water stations in Winchester, Eastleigh and Southampton.

These were at Cantell School in Southampton, Places Leisure in Eastleigh, and south Winchester Park and Ride. 

The latest issue comes just months after homes and businesses were left without water for several days in the run-up to Christmas.

Southern Water blamed burst pipes caused by sudden changes in temperature that occurred after days of sub-zero weather was followed by a thaw.

A spokesperson from Southern Water said: "We still have 3,500 customers without water and we’re really sorry for the ongoing distress and inconvenience this is causing.  

"Work at our Otterbourne water supply works has continued and the work to drain, clean and disinfect the treatment process affected is now complete.  

"The next stage is to undertake extensive water quality testing before we allow water back into main supply. 

"There are stringent quality standards that we must maintain and that is why this will take time.  

"If everything goes to plan, we expect the network to be stabilised and quality tested tomorrow."