Skip to content

College and schools shut due to burst water pipe

BBC A large tanker truck parked beside the pavement, which reads 'Water 2 U' on the side in blue. Parked behind it is a Wessex Water blue and white work truck. In the background there is an industrial looking building, a spiked metal fence and trees.BBC
Wessex Water staff are currently working to identify and repair the leaking pipe

Seven schools and a college had to close after a burst pipe has left them without water.

Yeovil College, Birchfield Primary School and Fairmead School, in Yeovil, Somerset, are among those that shut on Friday.

Thousands of properties across the town also reported low water pressure or having no water at all.

Wessex Water, which supplies the water in the area, said the supply to 6,000 properties was restored by noon.

Those who are still affected by the issue are being contacted, the supplier said in a statement.

"We've managed to get most customers back in supply by moving water around our network while we carry out repairs.

"Thanks for your patience, we're sorry for any inconvenience the burst water main has caused," they added.

The burst was successfully isolated on Friday morning, allowing the water supply to be rerouted while repair work was carried out.

By noon, the supply was restored to the vast majority of properties impacted.

A small number are still without water, but the supplier said it will be contacting those affected.

Ken Comber wearing a black zip up jacket with 'The Hub' written in yellow font. He is bald, clean shaven, wearing thin framed glasses and standing with his hands in his pockets looking at the camera.
Ken Comber said people travel from far and wide to attend their facility, but the burst pipe means they cannot accommodate them

The other schools which closed are Buckler's Mead School, St Michael's Academy, Milford Infants School, Milford Junior School and Primrose Lane Primary School.

Yeovil College said Yeovil College University Centre and the nursery also closed.

Preston School Academy - which remained open - said staff provided drinking water for students after a number of them arrived "without having had a drink this morning".

Matt Doble, deputy head, said: "A lot of our students are coming in saying they've been unable to take a shower or have a drink this morning.

"When we realised we still had good water pressure, we said if any families need to come in and bring a plastic bottle to refill, we're more than happy to support the local community on that front."

A closure sign outside the front door of The Hub
The Hub had to close at short notice on Friday

Ken Comber is CEO of The Hub, a Yeovil-based charity supporting adults with learning disabilities and autism.

He was forced to close the centre at short notice after the burst pipe cut off their water supply.

"We didn't have any water for our cafe, we couldn't flush our toilets, people couldn't wash their hands.

"For health and hygiene reasons, we've unfortunately had to close the whole facility today.

"Our trainees came here this morning happy, looking forward to their day, and unfortunately we've had to send them home," he added.

Judy Parker, head teacher at Birchfield Community Primary School in Yeovil, said "fingers crossed" they would be able to reopen on Monday.

"It's a really busy time of year. We've got our nativities, our practices and our engaging curriculum. The last thing we ever want to do is shut our school."

The main entrance to Birchfield Community Primary School, which is closed on Friday
Birchfield Community Primary School hopes to reopen on Monday
Wessex Water vehicles on site to fix the burst water main
Wessex Water is on site to fix the burst water main in Yeovil

Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.

Related internet links