London families told to refill water bottles despite having no running water during heatwave

As temperatures soar across London, residents on Devon’s Estate are warning that an ongoing water crisis is putting health and wellbeing at risk. The estate has gone more than six months without reliable access to running water.

Residents say they have been forced to rely on bottled water, travel elsewhere to shower, and spend their own money securing access to a basic necessity. Many report receiving no compensation, rent reduction or service charge relief despite the ongoing disruption.

Rahela Begum, resident and campaign leader, said:

With temperatures rising, fears are growing that the ongoing water crisis could put vulnerable residents at serious risk.

As the heatwave intensifies, so do concerns over dehydration, sanitation and public health. For many residents, the question is no longer when the water will return, but how much longer they can safely cope without it.

One resident described the reality of trying to manage without running water:

We were also told that the bottled water provided should last us for a week and that we should simply keep refilling the bottles. However, this raises the question, how are residents expected to refill bottles when there is little or no water coming from the taps?

A single 5-litre bottle is nowhere near sufficient for a household. Water is needed for not only drinking, but also for cooking, washing, cleaning, flushing toilets, laundry and maintaining basic personal hygiene.

Sadaf Moosvi, Tower Hamlets community organiser for renters’ union ACORN, said:

I’ve organised communities across London around housing issues for years, but this is the first time I’ve seen residents fighting for drinking water.

The fact that this is happening in London, the world’s fifth-richest city, is shocking.

Residents are calling for a permanent solution to the water supply problems. And they want accountability from those responsible and compensation for households affected by months of disruption.

Featured image via the Canary