Full Breakdown
Water Supply Disruptions Lead to School Closures in Oxfordshire
3/6/2026, 10:07:43 PM
Overview of the Incident
A significant disruption in water supply has led to the closure of more than a dozen schools in Oxfordshire. The issue arose from a burst water main located next to Oxford Road in Eynsham, which affected the reservoirs supplying the OX7, OX18, OX28, OX29, and GL7 postcodes. Thousands of homes in these areas have also experienced either no water or low pressure.
Impact on Schools and Residents
The affected schools include those in Burford, Carterton, and Witney. The closures have created considerable inconvenience for families, as parents are required to adjust their schedules to pick up children from school. Charlie Maynard, the Liberal Democrat MP for Witney, highlighted the disruption, stating, “Schools are closed, some are hanging on to the end of the day. That’s incredibly disruptive to the kids and to the parents, having to drop work and go pick up kids.”
Response from Thames Water
Thames Water reported that the broken pipe was repaired on Thursday evening, but the process of refilling the water network is ongoing. The company indicated that customers might experience delays in the return of normal water supply, as it takes time for pressure to stabilize throughout the system. Over 3.5 million litres of water have been pumped into the area to aid recovery. Thames Water also cautioned that some customers may initially find their water discoloured, which they assured is a normal occurrence during such repairs.
Bottled Water Stations
In response to the water supply issues, bottled water stations have been set up at local supermarkets, including Sainsbury's in Witney and Morrisons in Carterton, to assist residents during the disruption.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While Thames Water has confirmed the repair of the pipe, there is no detailed timeline provided for when all customers can expect to have their water supply fully restored. Additionally, reports from other regions, such as Worcestershire, indicate similar issues with burst water mains affecting schools and residents, suggesting a broader concern regarding water infrastructure in the region.
What's Next
Thames Water is continuing to monitor the situation and is working to restore normal service as quickly as possible. Further updates are expected as the network refills and pressure stabilizes across the affected areas.
