Surrey Schools Shut as Thousands Face Major Water Crisis After Storm Ciaran
Thousands Left Dry After Storm Wrecks Water Supply
Storm Ciaran’s chaos continues to bite Surrey as schools remain closed this Monday and more than 12,000 residents struggle without water. Thames Water has apologised, blaming the disaster on faults at the Shalford water treatment works, which serves Guildford, Godalming, and the surrounding area.
Major Incident Declared Amid Growing Water Shortage
Surrey County Council declared a major incident on Sunday after around 13,500 homes lost water, with another 6,500 expected to be hit. Paul Follows, leader of Waverley Borough Council, slammed the delayed response and questioned the condition of the local water infrastructure.
Authorities Pull Out All Stops to Fix Crisis
With about 12,000 people still dry on Monday, schools remain shut for safety. Surrey County Council leader Tim Oliver stressed the joint effort through the Local Resilience Forum (LRF) to tackle the widespread chaos. Thames Water is taking charge of crisis management, prioritising communication and support for vulnerable residents.
Storm Hits on Sunday, Staff Shortages Hamper Response
The council highlighted the complications caused by the incident unfolding on a Sunday, with fewer staff available to respond. Officials promise ongoing teamwork across agencies to resolve the water shortage emergency gripping Surrey.
