Bramley water contamination information and advice

The following web pages contain information relevant to the Thames Water contamination in the GU5 area of Bramley, Waverley, announced on Thursday 30 May 2024.

We will update these pages with the relevant information as appropriate, during the remedial works in the area that are being carried out. The situation is evolving, so please keep checking this page for updates.

Thames Water Do Not Drink Water Notice

Information on areas affected by Do Not Drink Water Notice including postcodes can be found on the Thames Water website which is regularly updated.

Thames Water and in conjunction with the UK Health Security Agency (UKSHA), have published some frequently asked questions, these are continually updated.

If you have any further questions for Thames Water about this incident you can call Thames Water's 24 hour customer centre on 0800 316 9800 quoting your address and reference number BB647802.

Bottled water and recycling

Bottled Water and information is being delivered to all affected properties.

Additional waste disposal bins for the correct disposal of plastic water bottles are being made available in the local area.

Waverley Borough Council will also be putting on additional recycling collections to deal with any excess water bottles. Collections will take place on the normal scheduled collection day of Monday, but extra bottles that need recycling but don't fit in the bin will be collected too. There will also be an additional Saturday recycling collection from the affected properties from Saturday 15 June. More information is available on the Waverley Borough Council website.

Please be aware The Slyfield Recycling Centre, Guildford will be closed from 15 June due to essential maintenance. It will reopen on 1 July. During this period, you can visit our other centres in Woking and Witley.

What you can and can't do under a Do Not Drink Notice

The 'do not drink' advice will remain in place while further investigations are carried out.

During this time the affected customers are advised:
Don't drink the tap water or give to pets.
Don't prepare or cook food using tap water.
Don't use tap water to brush your teeth.
Don't use tap water even after boiling.
Can use tap water to wash.
Can use tap water to flush the loo.

What are the health risks to people in the area?

UKSHA advice is that those in the affected area who have drunk water from the tap are likely to have only been exposed to hydrocarbons at low levels which is unlikely to cause any long term ill effects.

The public health risk assessment is that the detectable level of petroleum products in the water is very low, which means you would be able to smell it in the water and are therefore unlikely to drink it. This reduces potential exposures and the risk of adverse health effects.

If anyone does have any symptoms or health concerns which include irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, cough, a hoarse voice and breathing difficulties, they should speak to their GP or call NHS 111.

What if I need to call 999 in an emergency and don't have any signal?

You can still dial 999 from a mobile phone even if it shows 'no service' or has no signal. Your phone will search for any available network, not just your provider's network, to connect the call.

Roadworks

Thames Water's works to replace the water main at the roundabout at the junction of the A281 Horsham Road, Station Road and Snowdenham Lane are completed and the road is fully open. Public buses are operating normally.

School buses and transport

School coaches are reverting back to their normal timetables from Monday 1 July.

Schools in affected area

The following schools are in the area covered by the Do Not Drink Notice.

Bramley Oak Academy (formerly known as Wey House School) Horsham Road, Bramley, GU5 0BJ
Gosden House School, Horsham Road, Guildford GU5 0AH
St Catherine's School, Station Rd, Bramley, Guildford GU5 0DF

Thames Water has supplied each of the affected schools with water tanks, and bottled water is also being delivered during the duration of the Do Not Drink Water notice, to ensure alternative water sources are available.

We are in regular communication with headteachers at these schools to ensure they are kept informed and have accurate information to share with parents, carers and students.

Openreach update

As at Wednesday 5 June, Telecommunications network provider Openreach has analysed the current impact and has identified that some customers may be experiencing a small reduction in speed and stability but at this stage, the number of customers experiencing any disruption to service is very small.

Openreach are working alongside Thames Water to access the site in order to further test and ultimately install fixes to the issue.

Masts are to be deployed by Friday to help with mobile coverage. There is still cellular coverage in the area but the mast should help reinforce coverage. Mobile dongles are being provided by providers for additional bandwidth.

Contact details

You can call the Community Helpline for help and information if you have been unable to find the information you need.

Telephone: 0300 200 1008 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays)
Online form: Complete our community helpline enquiry form
Textphone (via Text Relay): 18001 0300 200 1008
Telephone from overseas: +44 20 8541 9944 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays)
SMS: 07860 053 465

Bramley Community Library internet access available

If required there are two computers in the Bramley Community Library High Street, Bramley, Surrey GU5 0HG where the public can get internet access.

Opening times:

Tuesday 10am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 4.30pm
Wednesday 10am to 12.30pm
Thursday 10am to 12.30 and 2pm to 4.30pm
Friday 10am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 4.30pm
Saturday 10am to 12.30pm
Closed Monday and Sunday