Schools closed in Conwy during water supply interruption

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, Conwy¹. 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 is led by the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service¹.

The Welsh Government described the burst as substantial, "presenting a complex fix in a very challenging location underneath the Afon Ddu"¹. In a written statement published on 18 January, it set out the effect on schools and the wider area:

The statement said the loss of supply for any extended period has a very significant impact, and that the incident had caused huge concern for residents in Conwy and a substantial impact on people, schools and businesses¹. The Deputy First Minister met the Chief Executive of Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water to be briefed on the repair and on provision of water to people who had lost supply, stressing the importance of clear public messages, accessible emergency supplies and support for vulnerable customers in particular¹. The Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales met the Leader of Conwy Council to discuss support for people who had lost supplies and the impacts on businesses¹. Officials were in close contact with Defra and the UK Government's emergency response hub, COBR, throughout the incident¹.

The statement said the recharge is being undertaken carefully given the extent of the network affected and the high pressure under which the system in this part of Wales operates, and that Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water is working as quickly as possible to restore supplies to homes and businesses¹. 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. Bottled water stations in Dolgarrog, Colwyn Bay, Conwy and Llandudno will be kept under review as water is restored, with plans to make deliveries to more isolated communities¹. Two collection points have been established so farmers can fill bowsers and tanks, and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water is working with the NFU and FUW to communicate¹.

Why it matters for households

Households in the Conwy area lost mains supply from Wednesday 15 January, with up to 40,000 properties affected over Wednesday and Thursday¹. Repairs were complete by 18 January, but the network was still being recharged at that date, so restoration was not yet complete for all properties¹. Public Health Wales issued advice to people on staying safe and hydrated while supplies are interrupted, and additional bottled water was moved into the affected areas¹. Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water announced arrangements for compensation available to residential and business customers¹. The statement said the company and local public services were focused on ensuring the most vulnerable households were safeguarded for as long as the incident lasts¹. Households dependent on water for medical needs, such as home dialysis, are among those affected by an interruption of this kind; a supply interruption checklist sets out the practical points, and guidance on how long restoration can take explains why recharging a large network is done gradually. The water section covers interruptions more generally.

What happens next

The Welsh Government said its incident response will remain in place and it will continue to support Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water and the multi-agency North Wales Strategic Coordination Group as needed until the water supply returns to normal¹. No date for full restoration to all properties has been reported¹.