Water is finally back on in Walton-le-Dale - this is how you can claim compensation

Since the incident in PR1 and PR5 was first reported on Saturday lunch time, United Utilities have been working to solve the issue.

At 9.30pm last night, they announced their remedial work was completed as they posted: “Good news, we’ve now repaired the burst on the junction of Todd Lane North and Brown Edge Road and your taps should be flowing again. However, it may take some time for your water pressure to return to normal. We will continue to monitor this throughout the night and into tomorrow morning. You may also experience some discolouration of your water, this is due to the repair work on the pipe and should clear after a short time. Please take a look at our discoloured water page for more information. Sorry for the disruption, thanks again for your patience.”

What is the company saying today?

A United Utilities spokesperson said: “We apologise for any inconvenience caused. Our teams were onsite throughout the weekend to resolve the issue. To help keep taps flowing while repairs were carried out we utilised some of our water on wheels tankers to pump water directly into the network and we were also able to divert supplies into the affected area.

"This was a complex repair and work was completed on Sunday evening. Under our Guaranteed Standards of Service Scheme customers are automatically compensated if their water supply isn’t restored within 12 hours."

Can you claim compensation?

Under the Guaranteed Standards of Service Scheme, United Utilities will compensate you automatically for a supply interruption or for sewage flooding, they will do so within 20 working days. If they fail to do so they will automatically pay you a further £20.

If United Utilities fail to make an automatic compensation payment, because they were not able to identify you as being affected, you can make a claim for payment within 3 months.

When you make a claim, United Utilities treat it on its merits and aim to settle it within 20 working days. If you wish to make a claim, you should do so either via telephone or in writing within three months of the event giving rise to the claim.

If you are more than six weeks behind with paying your water services charges United Utilities will automatically take the compensation payment off the amount you owe.

What to do if your water is still discoloured?

While your tap water is discoloured, United Utilities advise you not to run the hot water tap, use dishwashers, washing machines or any other appliances which uses your hot water supply.

You can try clearing the discolouration from your water by following these steps:

Allow the first incoming cold water tap (usually in the kitchen) to run at a trickle until it clears – you can collect this water and use it to water plants Some discolouration can clear quickly (within minutes), but this can take longer depending on the cause. If the discolouration does not clear, check with your neighbours to determine if their water is also discoloured. If theirs is not, it is most likely an issue with your internal pipework, you can find a Watersafe approved plumber here.