Mains water pipe burst near Dolgarrog affects supplies to up to 40,000 properties in Conwy

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water notified the Welsh Government on Wednesday 15 January of a mains water pipe burst near the Bryn Cowlyd Water Treatment Works at Dolgarrog, Conwy, according to a written statement from the Deputy First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales¹. Supplies for up to 40,000 properties were affected over the course of Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 January, and a major incident was declared¹.

The Welsh Government activated its civil contingencies response arrangements on Wednesday evening in support of the multi-agency North Wales Strategic Coordination Group, which was led by the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service¹. The statement describes the burst as substantial, "presenting a complex fix in a very challenging location underneath the Afon Ddu"¹. Officials were in close contact with Defra and the UK Government's emergency response hub, COBR, throughout the incident¹.

The disruption closed schools across the area:

Source: Welsh Government written statement¹

The statement says the Alternative Water Supply Group and mutual aid from across the water industry secured significant additional supplies of bottled water, including from England and Scotland¹. Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water opened bottled water stations in Dolgarrog, Colwyn Bay, Conwy and Llandudno, to be kept under review as water was restored, with plans to make deliveries to more isolated communities¹. Two collection points were established so farmers could fill bowsers and tanks, and the company worked with the NFU and FUW to communicate this¹. Public Health Wales issued advice to people on staying safe and hydrated while supplies were interrupted¹.

By the date of the statement, 18 January, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water had confirmed that the necessary repairs were completed and the wider water network was being recharged¹. The statement says this was being done carefully given the extent of the network affected and the high pressure under which the system in this part of Wales operates¹.

Why it matters for households

The incident shows how far a single burst on a treatment works feed main can reach: up to 40,000 properties across Conwy lost supply, schools closed on two consecutive days, and bottled water stations opened in four towns¹. The statement says the Deputy First Minister stressed the importance of clear messages to the public, of emergency supplies being provided and accessible to all, and of vulnerable customers being supported in particular¹. Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water announced arrangements for compensation for residential and business customers, with details on its website¹. The statement does not give a timetable for full restoration to individual properties, and no such timetable has been reported. Households can read our guidance on how long restoration takes, how water companies respond to a major incident and bottled supplies, tankers and bowsers. Our supply interruption checklist sets out what to have ready, and our household guide to water in an emergency covers the wider subject. Bursts can be reported using our guide on how to report no water or a burst pipe.

What happens next

The Welsh Government says its incident response will remain in place and it will continue to support Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water and the North Wales Strategic Coordination Group as needed until the water supply returns to normal¹. The bottled water stations were to be kept under review as water was restored, and deliveries to more isolated communities were planned¹. No date has been reported for the lifting of the incident response or the closure of the water stations.