Andover town centre drain explodes with a jet of water

A burst drain cover in Andover town centre has sent water shooting high into the air on Wednesday, April 1, after a well-meant repair job went wrong.

A Southern Water engineer arrived outside Santander in the High Street to carry out a “good deed” and fix a leaking drain that had been causing nuisance surface water.

After starting the work, the drain suddenly popped, releasing a powerful jet of water that witnesses said shot higher than the Guildhall.

The force of the burst sent water cascading down towards Waterloo Court, leaving the pedestrian cut-through wet underfoot as the flow raced away from the High Street.

The engineer stated that he noticed the water was spilling and stopped to perform a "good deed" not expecting the aftermath to unfold.

A spokesperson at Southern Water said: "Our teams are currently on route to Chantry Street, in Andover, to fix a damaged water hydrant.

"We have already taken action to reduce wasted water, and our engineers are expected to complete repairs today, Wednesday 1 April. We apologise for any inconvenience caused."  

Shoppers and staff in nearby stores looked on as the water surged upwards before running off along the paving and past neighbouring businesses.

Water spray in Andover Town Centre (Image: Dan Quina Brito)

Several people were seen taking photos and videos as the dramatic scene unfolded, with one onlooker describing it as “like a temporary fountain in the middle of town.”

One Andover resident described it as "Andover's new water feature."

Iris Andersen, who watched the spray unfold, said: "It is right by the Chanty Centre.

"They are trying to do their very best and it is like a water fountain. They just need to try and make sure they try and stop it. This particular drain was leaking this morning as I was walking in town.

"I really feel for Newbury Building Society as they have been affected quite a bit by the water entering the building."

Manuela Wahnon, who also witnessed the incident, spoke on the joy that the water display brought.

She said: "The beauty of this event is that it happened during the school holidays, bringing joy and wonder to the faces of the little ones looking on.  For a little while, people stood around enjoying the sense of comradeship that ran through everyone there.

"I'm glad that something like this happening in the town can bring people out to record it on their mobiles, and for a little while we can all forget what is happening in the big wide world outside Andover.

"I spontaneously clapped when it was being brought under control, and yes, I did go over and thank the men whose job it was to bring it all back under control."