Water pipe 'leaking thousands of litres a day'

Residents say it is "madness" that a leaking pipe near their homes is wasting thousands of litres of water a day, while the West is in drought.

They claim the pipe, which supplies the building where they live on Copse Road in Clevedon, Somerset, has been leaking for 14 months.

The residents say they have been told by Bristol Water that the problem won't be fixed until October and they will have to pay for the work, costing them £5,000 each.

Bristol Water said the leak is on a private supply pipe and it is the owners' responsibility to pay to fix it.

Residents claim the pipe, located in a park behind the building, has been losing water below ground since June 2025.

The building is home to three households.

Resident John Quantick said he is angry Bristol Water has not fixed the issue sooner.

He said: "We're losing 150 litres an hour during a drought and a hosepipe ban through some parts of the country, and they've done nothing.

"They are supplying 150 litres an hour to a leak. That leak is their responsibility not ours."

His neighbour, Dave Beck added: "I think it's stupid that a company that's losing water at the rate it is, can almost sit back and think 'well it will resolve itself eventually'."

Bristol Water said it's been "working with residents to find a solution, but progress has been slowed by difficulties locating the leak and accessing parts of the pipework".

A spokesperson for the company added: "New supply pipes have now been installed and we're exploring whether the final connection work can be brought forward."

Those living in the building said they are "shocked" that they now face a bill to mend the leaky pipe.

Resident Alison Beck said: "Obviously, you don't expect something so far away from your house to be your responsibility."

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