Welsh Water has issued an update following a ‘major incident’ that saw thousands without water
18:49, 15 Aug 2025Updated 18:49, 15 Aug 2025
The water main has been fixed following a “major incident” in Flintshire(Image: Welsh Water)
A major burst water main that left thousands without supply earlier this week has now been repaired but disruption will continue into the weekend with some people not seeing their supply restored until Sunday.
Welsh Water (Dwr Cymru) confirmed the repair was completed on Friday, August 15, following a full emergency operation. The incident, which began on August 14, was linked to problems with a temporary fix that had been put in place earlier in the Broughton area of Flintshire.
Communities across Deeside and along the Flintshire coast as far as Talacre were affected after the initial fault with Welsh Water reporting “further problems” earlier this week that prompted urgent repair work.
The disruption sparked concern across the area with some residents in Ffynnongroew complaining at the possibility of having little to no water for up to five days at a time when Wales is experiencing another summer heatwave. In response bottled water was distributed to Ffynnongroew Canolfan and Talacre Community Centre.
While the damaged main has now been fixed a Welsh Water spokesman said the process of refilling the water network, which stretches more than 500km, is being carefully managed to avoid secondary bursts. While most supplies are expected to return by Saturday full restoration may not be complete until Sunday, August 17.
The company pointed out that the repair had proven particularly challenging with the main located five metres underground and surrounded by other utility infrastructure.
Welsh Water said it continues to support vulnerable customers and is also supplying water to two hospitals and 20 care homes in the area. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here.
Alternative water supplies are available at the following locations:
Jade Jones Pavilion, Flint, CH6 5ERPark & Ride Car Park, Deeside Industrial Park, CH5 2NYCounty Hall Car Park, Mold, CH7 6NF
Compensation arrangements have been confirmed with Welsh Water issuing an open letter to customers available on their website.
The full statement from Welsh Water issued late on Friday afternoon said: “We can confirm that the repair of the burst water main in Broughton has been completed this afternoon.
“The work of re-filling the water network has also started. This will take time as we need to avoid causing any secondary bursts on this extensive network which is over 500km.
“The disruption will continue over the next 48 hours as the network gradually refills. While we aim to restore the majority of supplies to customers tomorrow supplies will not be fully restored to everybody until Sunday.
“We are extremely sorry about this disruption as it is longer than we had hoped but the repair has proved challenging given that the water main is 5m deep and surrounded by underground utility cables.
“We are continuing to support our most vulnerable customer while also supporting two hospitals and 20 care homes.
“Customers whose water supplies are affected can collect an alternative water supply at:
Jade Jones Pavilion, Flint CH6 5ERPark & Ride Car Park, Deeside Industrial Park, CH5 2NYCar Park at County Hall Car Park, Mold CH7 6NF
“We ask that customers only take the bottled water that is needed. If customers have any elderly or vulnerable family members, friends or neighbours we urge you to check in with them to ensure they have bottled water.
“We have confirmed compensation arrangements and also issued an open letter to our customers here.”
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