Council steps in to distribute bottled water door-to-door to affected residents
Published: 13 August 2026
Update - Friday 14 August - 4pm
Redbridge Council is continuing to support residents affected by last weekend’s major water‑supply incident following multiple water‑main bursts in the South Woodford area.
At its peak, more than 15,000 homes experienced no water, intermittent supply or low pressure.
Whilst Thames Water said on Friday afternoon that water supplies had been restored, the Council will be maintaining on‑the‑ground operations and continuing direct support for households throughout the weekend as required.
With supplies still disrupted across the north of the borough on Thursday and Friday, the Council stepped in to visit and deliver bottled water door‑to‑door to thousands of households — including 1,100 of the then‑affected 2,700 households in a single afternoon — as well as 5,500 litres of bottled water delivered to addresses in Woodford Green following reports of ongoing supply issues.
Council teams remain focused on welfare checks and targeted deliveries to vulnerable residents known to Adult Social Care. Bottled water has also been delivered to local care homes as a contingency measure.
Bottler water also remains available at the Thames Water site at Beal High School until 9pm tonight (Friday), and the site will reopen tomorrow while the water network recovers.
Shower facilities remain available at Fullwell Cross Leisure Centre, Ashton Playing Fields, Mayfield Leisure Centre, and Woodford Green Library & Gym over the weekend. No booking is required.
Often when your water returns it may be discoloured at first (rusty, white or milky in colour). This is normal. For guidance on what to do if you experience this or other issues following an incident, please see our After an Incident Guide.
Throughout this incident, Redbridge’s community spirit has been exceptional. Neighbours have checked in on one another, supported vulnerable residents, and shared information to help keep people safe.
The Council extends its thanks to everyone who has stepped up during this challenging week.
With water supplies still disrupted across the north of the borough, Redbridge Council has stepped in to directly deliver bottled water door-to-door to the 2,700 households that remain affected.
The Council coordinated a large delivery of bottled water and has now begun its own door-to-door distribution programme across the affected areas.
The Council’s focus remains on welfare checks and targeted water deliveries to vulnerable residents known to Adult Social Care. The Council has also been offering staff and volunteers to support Thames Water’s bottled water distribution since Monday. Following Thames Water’s acceptance of this offer yesterday, the Council is now able to significantly step up its response and begin wider household deliveries.
The operation is being supported by Council and Vision Redbridge Culture and Leisure staff.
Residents can continue to access bottled water from the Thames Water distribution site Beal High School. This site will remain in operation until 9pm on Friday 14 August.
Shower facilities are also available to affected residents at Fullwell Cross Leisure Centre, Ashton Playing Fields, Mayfield Leisure Centre and Woodford Green Library & Gym. Residents do not need to book and can simply attend and ask to use the showers.
Cllr Kam Rai, Leader of Redbridge Council, said: “This ongoing disruption is causing significant and unacceptable inconvenience and distress to residents, with the impact being made even more difficult by the current heatwave.
“Over recent days, we have heard too many examples of residents not receiving bottled water as promised. That is simply not good enough.
“While the Council has been carrying out welfare checks and targeted water deliveries to vulnerable residents, we have also been clear that we are ready to do more. We offered additional Council staff and volunteers to Thames Water at the start of the week to support the distribution of bottled water. That offer has now been accepted, allowing us to step up our response and begin delivering water directly to affected households.
“Our priority is making sure that residents who are without water receive the support they need. I want to thank our Council and Vision staff who have come together at short notice to support this operation, as well as our Adult Social Care teams who have been working throughout to support vulnerable residents.
“We also know that many communities have come together during this difficult time, showing the very best of Redbridge’s community spirit. I would encourage residents to continue checking in on neighbours, particularly those who may be vulnerable, and to contact the Council if they need support. In an emergency, always call 999.”
Shower facilities and opening times:
Ashton Playing Fields
Thursday 13 August: 7am – 9.30pm
Friday 14 August: 7am to 7pm
Saturday 15 August: 9am – 4.30pm
Fullwell Cross Leisure Centre
Thursday 13 August: 9am – 9pm
Friday 14 August: 9am – 9pm
Saturday 15 August: 9am – 9pm
Mayfield Leisure Centre
Thursday 13 August: 7am – 9.30pm
Friday 14 August: 7am – 9.30pm
Saturday 15 August: 8am – 5.30pm
Woodford Green Library & Gym
Thursday 13 August: 6am – 10pm
Friday 14 August: 6am – 10pm
Saturday 15 August: 8am – 6pm
