Useful advice for when the water returns

Remember that the returning water isn’t yet drinkable quality. Severn Trent advise:

We must remind customers that when water is restored, it must not be used for drinking, even after boiling. It’s perfectly safe to use for showering, bathing, flushing toilets and washing clothes.

We’ve published some useful advice on our page, when water supplies return. Bottle and bowser water will continue to be available.

National play day postponed

The celebration of national play day in Cheltenham will now take place on Wednesday 8 August. It was due to happen tomorrow but flood damaged equipment needs to be replaced in the meantime.

This event will now be held from 11am-4pm at Pittville Park near the Pump Room next week on Wednesday 8th.

Paws in the Park is cancelled

Unfortunately due to the floods, this weekend’s Paws in the Park event is cancelled. All of the people involved in Paws in the Park are looking forward to making next year’s event bigger and better than ever!

School is out! Holiday clubs are back on.

All four of our holiday clubs are open from today, Tuesday 31 July.

The play schemes are now running at St Peters church hall, Swindon Village hall, Oasis youth centre and Hillview community centre after the delayed start due to the floods and lack of water. The holiday clubs offer a variety of activities for 5-15 year olds and cost £3.90 for a full day or £1.95 for half a day. Registration is at 10 am and they are open until 3.30pm.

National play day which was scheduled to take place tomorrow, Wednesday 1st August, is postponed until Wednesday 8 August because of replacing lost equipment caused by the flooding. This event will now be held from 11am-4pm at Pittville Park next week on Wednesday 8th August.

Don’t drink the water yet

Just a quick reminder, please read our page when water supplies return.

Well done to staff at Cheltenham Borough Homes

Over the last ten days, Cheltenham Borough Homes’ staff have delivered 100,000 bottles of water to the elderly and vulnerable. Twelve Cheltenham Borough Homes’ vans are delivering water daily to 500 tenants living in sheltered accommodation and 200 vulnerable individuals. Staff have also been giving out water at distribution sites and delivering leaflets to tenants, advising them about how to manage with the water shortage. Some staff have also assisted vulnerable tenants with sanitation issues.

Paul Davies, chief executive of Cheltenham Borough Homes said:

Staff have done the right thing for our residents and are doing a good job of protecting the vulnerable in this crisis.

Insurance advice for flood-affected households

There have been reports in the media of ‘entrepreneurs’ targeting flood affected areas with offers to help households progress their insurance claims for a percentage of the payout.

The Government is keen to ensure that practical information is made available to flood affected communities on where they can go for free independent advice on insurance matters.

The advice is:

• Claims can be made directly and free of charge to your insurer. They are regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) and they have to handle your claim fairly
• Free, independent advice is available face-to-face and by telephone from the Citizen’s Advice Service on 01242 522491
• The FSA and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) are also useful places to turn to for further information on insurance matters
• You should think carefully before enlisting a third party’s help in progressing your insurance claim
• If you do decide to hire a third party – make sure you check how much it will cost you first as they may charge a share of any sum paid out by the insurer. You should also check that they are regulated by the FSA or are an exempt professional firm such as a law firm.

Service with a smile

Remember to read our information page, when the water supplies return.

When the water first returns it is not fit to drink. Our bottled water distribution centres will continue to operate, and of course, the Severn Trent bowsers are still out there in our community (see our emergency water supplies page)

Recycle your bottles, please don’t dump them

Our emergency team is asking people to dispose of their plastic bottles by using the new recycling banks.

Unfortunately some people are leaving their empty bottles next to the bowsers, rather than disposing of them properly. With the thousands of plastic bottles being used during the water shortage, it is important to recycle the bottles, rather than leave them lying around town.

The recycling banks are situated at each of the water distribution points: B&Q, Homebase, Morrison’s, Sainsbury’s (Priors Road) and North Place car park. Teams of staff are regularly empting the banks and will continue to do so as often as possible, although demand is clearly very high.

Important news for local businesses

The South West of England regional development agency is making available up to £2m as an emergency fund to help support those businesses hit most severely by the floods.

A special webpage has been set up to provide information and guidance.

Urgent – volunteers required

Despite water being returned to many properties over the next few days there is still the urgent need for volunteers. If you can spare any time to distribute water at one of the five distribution centres then please contact the Volunteers Bureau on 01242 257727.

A letter from the Queen

Are we going to get our water back today?

Here’s the latest from Martin Kane, Severn Trent’s director of customer services:

Today, engineers are switching attention to Cheltenham and neighbouring areas such as Brockworth, Upton, Matson and Fox Elms and are hopeful they will have these areas reconnected within the next 24 hours.

He also added the following:

We must remind customers that when water is restored, it must not be used for drinking, even after boiling. It’s perfectly safe to use for showering, bathing, flushing toilets and washing clothes.

Remember to read our advice page, when the water supplies return.