important community news and information about the current situation in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
No, we couldn’t believe it either, but apparently Severn Trent can’t find all the bowsers that were distributed during the crisis. If you’ve spotted one hanging around a street corner, please let them know. Follow the link above for all the contact details.
Severn Trent are now taking over water distribution at the sites across Cheltenham. For further information please contact them on 0800 100 300 or visit our emergency water supply page for details of where the sites are located.
The latest from Severn Trent is that all homes in Gloucestershire have now been re-connected with a non-drinkable mains supply.
Martin Kane, Severn Trent’s director of customer services:
We must continue to remind customers that any restored supplies must not be used for drinking, even after boiling. But it’s perfectly safe to use for showering, bathing, flushing toilets and washing clothes.
…Meanwhile, we are sampling tap water intensively over the weekend and beyond to ensure we can get customers back onto a drinkable supply as soon as possible next week.
As always, please take a look at our page, emergency water supplies for locations of bowsers and bottles and when the water supplies return, for what we can and can’t yet do with the clear stuff.
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.
Monday – In addition to the hundreds of bowsers that are currently in Cheltenham, today there are also four large water tankers in town.
The tankers will be in position until 8pm this evening in the following places:
People are urged to go to one of these large tankers as a lot of water is available.
Check our emergency water supplies page for a list of all distribution sites.
The Gloucestershire Echo has published the water switch-on timetable for all areas cut off by the flooding. Cheltenham is scheduled to have its supply restored on Tuesday.
Andy Smith, Severn Trent’s director of water services:
Significant progress was made yesterday when an intensive testing and commissioning process made sure all damaged and flooded equipment was operational and fully repaired.
He goes on to say:
Wider areas of Tewkesbury will begin to get water over the next 24 hours, but for the majority of homes in Gloucester and Cheltenham, reconnection is still several days away.
The message is still: If you find water in your taps, please do not drink it, even after boiling.
We’ve had a comment from David in Charlton Kings, saying that there has been a steady trickle of water in the taps there this morning.
No confirmed news from anywhere else, but if you are finding that water is returning, please let us know by using the comments link (above) on this news post.
We must also stress that it is important to heed these words from Andy Smith, water services director at Severn Trent:
I need to be very clear about the instructions: you should not drink the tap water, even after boiling.
We are still assuming that it will be some time before supplies are fully restored.
As always, please check our emergency water supplies page for the latest information.
Full details about water availability are on our emergency water supplies page. Water bowser refills are continuing throughout the weekend with the Army assisting Severn Trent. The council bottled water distribution centres are in full swing.
Thanks to everyone in our community for their continued support.
Severn Trent is continuing to try and refill water bowsers around the borough. In addition, at least one large tanker of water is going to be in place at Coronation Square until 8pm this evening, supervised by the army. Bottled water continues to be distributed at the five sites – B&Q, Morrisons (Up Hatherley), Sainsburys (Priors Road), North Place car park and Homebase on the Tewkesbury Road. Check the emergency water supplies page for full information.
We will update the flood blog as new information comes into the emergency planning team.
There are now 3,000,000 litres of bottled water and 3,000,000 litres of bowser water coming into our region each day. The Army are helping transport water across the region and are working with Severn Trent to ensure that the bowsers in our community are replenished as fast as possible.
See our emergency water supplies page for all information.
Our five bottled water distribution points are now well stocked with plenty of water. Each location is open 8am to 8pm.
They are located at (see a map of locations):
If you have elderly neighbours or relatives please check up on them and if they need supplies please collect water for them too. There is no problem with collecting bottled water for others in need.
As you arrive on site please be aware that we have lorries arriving regularly and fork-lifts unloading. The council staff on hand will direct you, and if you need assistance carrying water please just ask.
Cheltenham Borough Council is keen to emphasise that the bottled water it is distributing and water from bowsers is free and available to everyone.
Free bottled water is still in large supply between 8am and 8pm at the following five sites in Cheltenham:
If you find a bowser to be empty, ring the number that is displayed on the bowser, or alternatively contact the council’s emergency team on 01242 262626 who will inform Severn Trent.
Special arrangements are being made by the council to recycle the plastic bottles so people are asked to keep hold of the bottles until we can collect them.
It has been reported that vans have been visiting bowsers and emptying them. If you see this going on, do not get involved but take a note of the time, the registration number and a vehicle description.
Report the details to our helpdesk on 01242 262626 (open 8am to 7pm).
Anyone wishing to volunteer to help distribute bottled water at one of the five distribution centres should contact the Volunteer Bureau on 01242 257727.
Severn Trent acknowledge that they are having trouble keeping up with the demand on water bowsers but now have 900 bowsers in place and an improved system for keeping them refilled. Check out our emergency water supplies page for latest updates.
4 million litres of water are being distributed currently as Severn Trent step up the emergency response. 330 bowsers are currently in Cheltenham with these being refilled up to five times per day by 80 water tankers.
The overriding advice is not to panic.
Residents supplied by Bristol water are not currently affected and are advised not to stock up because of the knock on effects.
Water is getting to Cheltenham at a fast pace, with vulnerable or elderly adults being contacted by the emergency team at Cheltenham Borough Council to ensure that their needs are being met.
For more information visit our page on emergency water supplies in the area.
We’ve updated our emergency water supplies page with information on bottled water locations and some useful maps to indicate where the supplies are located.
BBC Gloucestershire news
Cheltenham Borough Council flood updates 
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