Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs Ken Skates MS, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales.
On Wednesday 15 January, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water (DCWW) notified the Welsh Government of a mains water pipe burst near the Bryn Cowlyd Water Treatment Works, Dolgarrog, Conwy.
The Welsh Government activated its civil contingencies response arrangements on Wednesday evening in support of the multi-agency North Wales Strategic Coordination Group being led by the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service.
This was a substantial burst, presenting a complex fix in a very challenging location underneath the Afon Ddu. Supplies for up to 40,000 properties were affected over the course of Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 January. A major incident was declared and the Welsh Government has been fully engaged in supporting the multi-agency coordinated response.
The loss of water supply for any extended period has a very significant impact. It is clear that, as this incident has continued, it has caused huge concern for residents in Conwy and had a substantial impact on people, schools and businesses. It has seen 23 schools closed on Thursday 16 January and 40 schools closed on Friday 17 January.
The Deputy First Minister met the Chief Executive of DCWW to be briefed on progress with the repair and provision of water to people who have lost supply. The Deputy First Minister stressed the importance of clear messages to the public and ensuring that emergency supplies are provided and accessible to all, and of ensuring that vulnerable customers are supported in particular.
The Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales met the Leader of Conwy Council to discuss the impact of the incident. They discussed the arrangements being made to support people who have lost water supplies and the impacts on businesses.
Officials have been in close contact with Defra and the UK Government’s emergency response hub, COBR, throughout the incident. The Alternative Water Supply Group and mutual aid from across the water industry have secured significant additional supplies of bottled water, including from England and Scotland.
DCWW have now confirmed that the necessary repairs have been completed and the wider water network is being recharged. The process is being undertaken carefully, given the extent of the network affected and the high pressure under which the system in this part of Wales operates.
DCWW are working as quickly as possible to get supplies restored to homes and businesses in the affected areas and, with local public services, they are focused on ensuring that the most vulnerable households are safeguarded for as long as the incident lasts.
Public Health Wales have issued advice to people on staying safe and hydrated while water supplies are interrupted and additional bottled water supplies are being moved into the affected areas. You can find this information: weather and health on Public Health Wales.
DCWW have opened bottled water stations in Dolgarrog, Colwyn Bay, Conwy and Llandudno which will be kept under review to ensure water is available where it is needed as water is restored, along with plans to make deliveries to more isolated communities.
DCWW are also making provision for supplies to local farmers for agricultural use. Two collection points have been established to enable farmers to fill bowsers and tanks, and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water are working with the NFU and FUW to communicate.
Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water have announced arrangements for compensation available to residential and business customers. More information can be found on the Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water website.
Ministers would like to thank all of the first responders and the many agencies who have provided support to the affected communities, in particular to those in vulnerable circumstances. We also wish to pay tribute to the hardworking teams of engineers who have been working around the clock to fix the burst. This is an especially challenging repair, which has been undertaken as quickly as possible in difficult and dangerous conditions.
The Welsh Government incident response will remain in place and we will continue to support DCWW and the multi-agency North Wales Strategic Coordination Group as needed until the water supply returns to normal.