No good excuses for this many failures to keep water flowing

A time when much of the UK is experiencing near drought conditions, the last thing that's needed is a burst water main which not only leaves thousands of homes and businesses without water, but sees the loss of probably unmeasurable gallons of the liquid.

- Judith Phillips

Yet that's what happened to a large chunk of Flintshire after a pipe at Broughton burst not once but twice in a matter of days.

The first burst occurred almost two weeks ago when a temporary repair was made, then the repair gave way last Wednesday, meaning that taps dried up again.

Having experienced a similar situation in January when mine was one of 40,000 homes that lost water for up to five days due to a burst near the Bryn Cowlyd water treatment works, I can sympathise with those affected by this latest occurrence.

As in Conwy, bottled water distribution centres were set up, and volunteers rallied around to help deliver supplies to the housebound, but the inconvenience it caused to residents was considerable.

Businesses also suffered, and I imagine the compensation bill for these was considerable.