Water leak in Leigh Sinton as country is braced for drought

The huge leak in the field at Leigh and Bransford Memorial Hall in Smith End Green, near Leigh Sinton, was reported to Severn Trent last Thursday via their hotline number.

One of the trustees of the hall charity, Stephen Seymour, described the leak as 'a geyser of wasted water' and called for urgent action.

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A drought is expected to be declared in parts of England today with several water companies imposing hosepipe bans as the Met Office has issued an amber extreme heat warning set to last until Sunday.

Meanwhile, Mr Seymour's friend, a retired engineer, has used a bucket to measure the scale of the leak and estimates close to 700,000 litres of water have been wasted in the last week alone.

Severn Trent, which has been out to inspect the leak, has apologised but says their engineers cannot carry out repairs until the gas company has conducted its own investigations because the leak is so close to a gas pipe.

CONCERN: The gas pipeline is near the burst water main, running under the field and the road near the Leigh and Bransford Memorial Hall

It may be another week before the burst main can be fixed - although Severn Trent says they aim to repair it sooner if they can.

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Meanwhile, gallons and gallons of water can be seen flowing from the sodden field and under the hedge, sending a deluge pouring over Sherridge Road with cars having to slow down to negotiate the flood.

The water then flows for around half a mile before it shoots out of a culvert into a pool which is 'normally bone dry at this time of year' says the man who has lived next to it for the last 50 years.

A walk over the village hall memorial field at Smith End Green reveals the source of the leak - a bubbling hollow which has already saturated one corner of the field, leaving it a lush but very soggy green in contrast to the rest of the land which is still hard and parched because of the dry spell.

The area around the leak is 'rapidly becoming a bog' said 75-year-old Mr Seymour.

FLOOD: The leak has caused a flood on Sherridge Road, Leigh Sinton. Photo: James Connell

He says Severn Trent Water has told him they cannot repair the leak without supervision from Cadent, the gas distribution network, because it is so near a gas main.

The former education officer for Worcestershire County Council, who believes water companies should be re-nationalised, said: "I've been told they cannot use mechanical equipment within five metres either side of the gas main. But ultimately it's not their problem - it's Severn Trent's problem. Severn Trent can't do any work because it needs to be supervised by a gas engineer."

WASTE: The leak is rushing out a culvert at Coles Green. Normally this land is 'bone dry' at this time of year says Terry Edden who has lived near the culvert for the last 50 years

Mr Seymour's friend Terry Edden, 79, a former mechanical engineer who lives by the culvert in Coles Green, around half a mile away, took it upon himself to use a bucket to measure the scale of the leak.

He expected the bucket to fill up in about 10 seconds - instead, the bucket filled up in between three and four seconds.

By his calculation, the leak involves 63 litres of water per minute and 635,040 litres since it was first reported a week ago.

ENGINEER: Terry Edden of Coles Green with his calculations about the scale of the leak. Photo: James Connell

He said: "In an hour there has been 3,780 litres of wasted water per hour. That rate has been continuous for the last week. It has been day after day and all through the night. 

"I have lived here 50 years and it has never been like this before. We have a water shortage. To have a leak at this particular time is really quite infuriating."

CONTRAST: The lush (and soggy) corner of the field can be clearly be seen in contrast with the dry, parched land

Mr Edden said he always tried not to waste water - as well as food and plastic and even had a meter installed to try and be more responsible.

He even decided not to water his own vegetable patch to save water.

"I just feel frustrated all this water has been wasted. I'm not one to complain. It's just a bit galling to see all the water going to waste when nobody is doing anything about it," he said.

A spokesman for Severn Trent Water said they had looked into the problem, been out and investigated.

He said: “Our teams have been out and investigated reports of a leak near Bransford memorial park.

"Due to the location of the pipe and how close it is to other utilities, including a gas pipe, we cannot begin repairs until the other utility company has investigated.

"We are incredibly sorry for the inconvenience this may cause, and fully understand the frustration especially during this hot weather period where we’re asking people to use water wisely.

"We are doing everything we can to escalate the importance of this repair to the gas company so they can visit sooner than the planned date of August 18.

"Again, we’re really sorry for disruption caused, but it is vital that we repair this pipe safely due to the location of the gas pipe, so we can avoid any problems.”