River Test fears grow over Longstock water leak fallout

Residents reported a major leak in Roman Road, Longstock, on Friday, July 24, sending hundreds of litres of chlorinated drinking water into drains leading to the River Test, a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Contractors' first repair failed and water then escaped through a second hole in the tarmac for days, badly damaging the road.

The leak was still running on Tuesday despite repeated calls, as households faced water shortages and a hosepipe ban.

Longstock parish councillor Angie Filippa said: "Residents are being told by Southern Water to conserve water whilst hundreds of litres of treated drinking water have been pouring down both sides of Roman Road for days.

"Free-flowing chlorinated drinking water is sweeping debris straight into drains and ultimately into the fragile River Test, which is already susceptible to environmental damage due to being critically low."

She added: "Southern Water’s repeated failures to attend, escalate, document calls or secure a road-closure permit demonstrate a breakdown in basic operational competence."

Parish councillor Beccy Soper highlighted wider pressures on the network, saying: "The UK Government is proposing a 78 per cent increase in housing across Test Valley, yet Southern Water cannot even maintain the ageing infrastructure already in place.

"The situation is ludicrous: we are unable to guarantee a reliable water supply for existing residents, let alone meet an almost 80% increase in demand."

Resident James Griffiths said Southern Water’s "chronic lack of investment and poor management" was letting down the very people it is meant to serve, accusing the company of wasting thousands of litres of treated water while households are urged to cut back.

Another resident, Mandy Tanner-Henley, said: "We pay our bills and do our bit to conserve water.

"We shouldn’t be paying the price for corporate mismanagement, failing infrastructure and a lack of political leadership."

Caroline Nokes, MP for Romsey and Southampton North, said: "I’ve seen the footage of this horrific leak on Roman Road in Longstock and understand why residents are so frustrated.

"During a period of water shortages and a hosepipe ban, seeing such a significant amount of water being lost is simply unacceptable.

"I have been in touch with Southern Water to emphasise the urgency of the situation.

"I understand they have attended the site, but the repair requires a road closure.

Water leak on Roman Road, Longstock (Image: Dan Quina Brito)

"I have urged them to carry out the necessary works as quickly as possible and will continue to press for this to be resolved without further delay."

Hampshire county councillor for Test Valley Central, David Drew, said: "I was contacted by Angie Filippa and immediately contacted the MP as she has better contacts to get answers from in Southern Water.

"Pipes burst, but from what I’ve heard, Southern Water haven’t dealt with it in the most expeditious way. They seem to be on the case now, but I was also told that road closures may be in place. It doesn’t look good when there is a hosepipe ban, of course.

"If Southern Water are on the case, then that’s good. They need to crack on. It just cheeses off the residents.

"It would be better if they had responded even more promptly. Once they’ve stopped the burst pipe, it is then when we can move in and say if anything else needs doing. Clearly there is a water leak that needs fixing."

Southern Water said it had fixed the initial leak on Friday and were shortly afterwards made aware of the second incident.

A spokesperson said: "The repair here cannot be made until the earlier work is fully reinstated so as not to block access to a cul de sac.

“Fixing leaks during a hosepipe ban is a priority, we must play our part if we’re telling customers not to use hoses."