Met office issues a severe weather warning

The Met Office has issued a warning of persistent rain arriving over England and Wales on Monday evening. Fairly large totals likely to mount up as it turns heavier and more widespread during Tuesday, with further heavy rain moving through on Wednesday. Totals of 25 mm or more are likely to build up in many places, especially in the west, with the risk of 50-75 mm in places. Read the article in today’s Daily Telegraph.

Trading standards are in Cheltenham today

Trading standards officers are out today talking to residents the areas of Cheltenham that were affected by the floods. Read the advice from trading standards in our earlier post.

Are you a local business that suffered with the flood?

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.

The scheme aims to assist in rapid business recovery by providing assistance for business advice and physical losses as a direct consequence of the recent floods in the South West, principally Gloucestershire.

We have just received a fax from Severn Trent saying that boiled tap water is now safe to drink

They say that results from intensive quality sampling and testing confirm that restored tap water supplies are now safe to drink provided it is boiled before use.

Was your property damaged by the flood?

During the first days of flood, the emergency team set about mobilising resources to provide an adequate level of response to the unprecedented situation. Now that the flood waters have receded and the water supply has returned, we have more time to step back and take a longer view. Surprisingly one thing we do not have is a definitive list of all the properties affected by the flood. We have a list of all the calls we received for advice and sandbags – but it is not comprehensive.
 
If your property was damaged, it would be very helpful if you could email us, giving the address of the property, your name, and contact details including a daytime telephone number and forwarding address (if appropriate). We will contact you and arrange to visit you at the flood-damaged property.

Rogue traders

We have heard reports of rogue traders that have operated in other flood areas in the country now appearing in Gloucestershire.

Read our previous posting on this topic

Normal service will be resumed…

Things are slowly getting back to normal here at the council. The emergency planning rooms are winding down, the plans have been rolled up and the chairs empty. People are slowly returning to their regular jobs. However we are still heavily involved in distributing bottled water 8am to 8pm and answering queries and keeping everyone informed. And of course, like everyone else, awaiting the message about water quality.

From today our normal contact number 01242 262626 will be back to 9am to 5pm operation, although at the moment this line will also be open over the weekend. Out of those hours the recorded message will give details of our duty officer’s mobile number.

If in doubt, dial 999

Since the recent floods the Police have seen a rise in reports of offenders going door-to-door posing as ‘water board’ employees to try and trick their way into homes.

Dial 999 if suspicious callers turn up at their front door – particularly if they claim to work for the ‘water board’.

Detective Chief Inspector Geoff Brookes, said:

Be suspicious of anyone who comes to your door without a prior appointment, particularly if the person claims to work for, or on behalf of, Severn Trent or the ‘water board’. We have had several cases where offenders have used this cover story to trick householders into fiddling with pipes and taps claiming a water related emergency, allowing time for an accomplice to enter their address unseen via another entrance.

Latest news about water quality

For the time being Severn Trent cannot guarantee the water safety. The situation is unprecedented; the system has never been drained down before. In the circumstances the water company is being cautious; the water coming out of the taps looks clean enough but that doesn’t mean it is safe. For the time being the best advice is to follow the information on our page, when the water supplies return – and do not drink the tap water even after boiling.

Beware of rogue traders

The Trading Standards Service is warning flood victims to be on their guard against rogue traders, cowboy builders and repair companies exploiting their desperate plight.

Roger Marles, Head of Gloucestershire Trading Standards Service said:

Sadly, we know from previous flooding incidents here in the county and elsewhere that conmen and disreputable traders will see the floods as a golden opportunity to make easy money from desperate families.

He added:

I strongly urge householders not to employ the first trader who comes to your door offering their services, but instead seek a range of quotes from local traders with reputations to maintain.

“I come to test the water luv…”

As the floods recede residents are being reminded by Trading Standards and the Police to beware of doorstep callers who may use the opportunity to trick householders out of their money and steal items from their houses.

They will use a variety of tactics such as testing the water, checking the electricity supply, or the gas supply or stating they need to turn the water off because of a leak further down the road.

Always ask for official identification from anyone at the door. If they are genuine they won’t mind. Don’t be embarrassed to check it thoroughly and call the company to make sure the caller is genuine.

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.

Don’t drink the water yet

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

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)

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.

When water supplies return

If everything goes to plan it looks like the water supplies for Cheltenham will return on on Tuesday 31 July.

Read our advice page, when water supplies return.

Spread the word

Three things to remember today:

1. If you get the chance, turn off your mains water supply at the stop-cock

This will prevent the sudden return to mains water pressure from causing any leaks as the water powers into your domestic pipes (the stop cock is usually located under the sink, turn it off clockwise). Obviously, make sure all taps are closed, then turn the water on slowly once the mains water has returned.

However, if you cannot follow this advice, do not worry. The chances are that most people will have very few problems as the mains pressure returns.

2. The water that returns initially is not safe to drink

It cannot be used for drinking, food preparation or cleaning teeth even after boiling. We will let you know once it is safe to treat as normal.

3. Inform your neighbours, especially the elderly

Please pass on the advice above. Take time to check on any elderly relatives or neighbours and help them with these simple instructions.

Recycling banks now in place for plastic bottles

The emergency team here at Cheltenham Borough Council is pleased to confirm that five new plastic bottle recycling banks are now in place in the town.

With the thousands of plastic bottles being used during the water shortage, the council urges people to recycle the bottles. The recycling banks are situated at each of the water distribution points:

• B&Q
• Homebase
• Morrison’s
• Sainsbury’s (Priors Road)
• North Place car park

Whilst the banks have only recently been put into place, the demand to use them is clearly very high. Teams of staff from the council are regularly emptying the banks and will continue to do so as often as possible. People are asked remove the lids from the bottles and squash them down, in order to get as many bottles into the banks as possible.

Headlines from the over weekend

• Before the water returns on tap – what to do
• Water reconnection timetable – area by area
• Portaloos bring relief to shoppers
• Keeping safe at home – essential advice
• The Mayor praises the towns efforts
• Amazing but true