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

Thames Water has now lifted their precautionary Do Not Drink advice for residents in the affected 618 properties in Bramley. More information is available on the Thames Water website which is regularly updated.

The Do Not Drink advice will remain in place at Bramley Oak Academy, St Catherine's and Gosden House Schools as further testing will be carried out at these locations. These schools have complex internal piping which is why it is taking longer but the water to homes is safe to drink.

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.

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 3 July, Telecommunications network provider Openreach has analysed the current impact and, at this moment, the direct impact on local phone and broadband services is limited.

Openreach, along with specialist environmental consultants, Occupational Health and Environmental Services (OHES) (part of Adler and Allan), are now working outside Grange Cottages and near to the Holy Trinity Church, where there are underground access points to it's network.

These points have particularly high petrol contamination, so attempts are being made to reduce the concentrations to levels which are safe enough for engineers to access.

This process is unique and complex, so work needs to proceed with caution and it is unclear how long it will take. Openreach hope to give a clearer indication of its position and further next steps over the coming weeks.

Masts have already been deployed to help with mobile coverage. There is still cellular coverage in the area but masts should help reinforce coverage. Mobile dongles are being issued 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