The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) said it was aware of an event affecting drinking water supplies in the Maerdy and Ferndale area on 21 May, in a notice published on 22 May1. Dwr Cymru Welsh Water is taking steps to return supplies to normal, and the Inspectorate is investigating the event1.
The DWI notice does not state the cause of the event, how many properties are affected, or whether a boil water notice or other restriction is in place. Those details have not been reported in the notice. The Inspectorate said consumers in the affected area should follow any advice issued by Dwr Cymru Welsh Water regarding their supplies1.
"The Inspectorate is aware of an event affecting supplies in the Maerdy and Ferndale area, on 21 May."
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Area affected | Maerdy and Ferndale1 |
| Date of event | 21 May 20261 |
| Notice published | 22 May 20261 |
| Water company | Dwr Cymru Welsh Water1 |
| Status | Steps being taken to return supplies to normal1 |
| Investigation | Under way by the Drinking Water Inspectorate1 |
The DWI is the regulator for drinking water quality in England and Wales, and its role in checking supplies is set out in the guide to who checks drinking supplies.
Why it matters for households
Households in the Maerdy and Ferndale area may see disruption to their drinking water supply from 21 May while Dwr Cymru Welsh Water works to return supplies to normal1. The DWI has not said in its notice whether the event involves loss of supply, a change in water quality, or both, and it has not published any precautionary advice of its own beyond directing consumers to the water company1.
The practical position for affected households is that any advice on using or avoiding tap water, and any arrangements for alternative supplies, will come from Dwr Cymru Welsh Water rather than from the Inspectorate1. The DWI notice does not give a timescale for restoration. Households wanting to check whether their address is affected can use the guide to checking if there is an outage in your area, and the guide to how long until my supply is restored sets out how companies typically report progress.
For households preparing for a supply interruption, the site's supply interruption checklist and the guide to bottled supplies, tankers and bowsers from your water company cover what companies provide and how it is distributed. Guidance on how much drinking water to store per person and on containers and jerrycans for drinking supplies is also available. The water hub lists the full set of guides.
What happens next
The Drinking Water Inspectorate is investigating the event1. No date has been given for the conclusion of that investigation, and no further statement from the Inspectorate or from Dwr Cymru Welsh Water has been reported. The DWI's notice directs consumers in the affected area to follow any advice issued by Dwr Cymru Welsh Water regarding their supplies1.
Check for an Outage
When Supply Is Restored
Supply Interruption Checklist
