SOUTHERN Water has warned that supplies to customers across Hampshire will have to be "restricted" for at least two days.

The company said demand was outstripping its ability to supply water, resulting in problems for customers in several areas including Southampton, Eastleigh and Chandler's Ford.

Bottled water stations are being set up across the area and Southern Water says supplies will be delivered to its more vulnerable customers.

The company is hoping supplies will return to normal in time for Christmas.

Chief operating officer Bob Collington said: "We are currently facing significant pressure on our water supply in parts of Hampshire, caused by a combination of factors including leaks resulting from the recent ‘freeze/thaw’ event.

"This has meant demand for water is outstripping the ability of our water treatment sites to keep taps running. 

"We are working as hard as we can to solve this issue, tackling leaks and stabilising supply, but we must also make difficult decisions to reduce demand in order to protect critical Hampshire infrastructure like hospitals. 

"This is why we have unfortunately had to restrict water supplies to customers in the Southampton, Eastleigh, Hedge End, and Chandler's Ford areas of Hampshire, for a period of at least 48 hours.   

"Customers in these areas can expect to a see reduction in water pressure or loss of water, and we will be supporting vulnerable customers with bottled water deliveries.

"We are also opening bottled water stations for our customers across the region. 

"We are very sorry for the disruption and inconvenience this will inevitably cause in lead-up to Christmas, and are working as hard as we can resume services by Sunday."

Some people living on the eastern edge of the New Forest are currently without water - or facing low pressure - as a result of leaks and heavy rain.

The issue is affecting Southern Water customers in several parts of the Waterside area, including Dibden, Fawley, Hythe and Marchwood.

The company has apologised for the disruption and vowed to fix the problem as quickly as possible.

Bottled water stations are expected to be provided but the locations have yet to be confirmed.

In a statement, Southern Water said recent heavy rain had increased the amount of sediment in water extracted from Hampshire rivers.

"This means our water treatment works are having to work harder to treat the water before we can supply to our customers," it said.

"We're doing our best to find a technical solution to accelerate this process."

Southern Water said water leaking from pipes that had thawed out following the recent spell of freezing weather was adding to the pressure on resources.

Bottled water is currently being delivered to customers who are on the company's priority services register.

Several people have taken to social media to complain about leaks in the Waterside area.

In a message to water bosses, one person posted: "Have you not been told of the burst pipe on Southampton Road in Hythe?

"We’ve just come off a hosepipe ban but it’s fine just let tons of water seep through the pavement."

Another said water had been leaking at Hythe Road, Dibden, and Southampton Road, Hythe, for several weeks - "pouring onto the road and icing up, causing accidents, and now this".

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