Council steps in to distribute bottled water door-to-door to affected residents

Published: 13 August 2026

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 overnight and has now begun its own door-to-door distribution programme across the affected areas.

Earlier this week, the Council’s focus was 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 Thames Water distribution sites at Fairlop Waters and Beal High School.

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