Key Points
- Residents in Chesterton, Cambridgeshire, reported complete water supply cut-off starting early Friday morning.
- Cambridge Water confirmed burst main pipe on Chesterton Road causing widespread disruption.
- No estimated restoration time provided; emergency water distribution points established at local schools and community centres.
- Over 2,000 households affected; businesses including restaurants and gyms forced to close temporarily.
- Council declared local emergency; bottled water deliveries prioritised for vulnerable residents.
- Road closures implemented on Chesterton Road between Gilbert Road and High Street for repair works.
- Health officials advised boiling water once restored due to potential contamination risks.
- Similar incident occurred in neighbouring Arbury area last month affecting 500 properties.
Chesterton (Cambridge Tribune) 31 January 2026 –Residents of Chesterton in Cambridgeshire woke to find their taps running dry on Saturday morning after a major burst water main disrupted supplies across the area. Cambridge Water issued an apology for the outage affecting thousands of households and businesses, with engineers working around the clock on repairs. Emergency water stations opened at local schools as council leaders coordinated aid distribution.
What Caused the Water Outage in Chesterton?
As reported by Sarah Jenkins of Cambridge News, Cambridge Water detected the burst at 4:15 AM on a 24-inch main pipe running beneath Chesterton Road. The company stated in an official press release that “extreme weather conditions combined with aging infrastructure led to the failure.” Jenkins quoted Cambridge Water operations director Mark Thompson saying, “Our teams identified the issue immediately and isolated the supply to prevent further damage.”
Tom Hargreaves of BBC Look East confirmed the pipe, installed in 1968, supplies water from treatment works in Milton to eastern Cambridge suburbs. Hargreaves noted that pressure surge from the burst flooded nearby basements, requiring fire service pumps to remove water from three properties.
How Many Residents Are Affected by the Disruption?
Chesterton (Cambridge Tribune) 31 January 2026 – Cambridge Water’s customer service map showed 2,300 properties without water by 10:00 AM. This includes 1,800 households and 500 commercial premises stretching from Chesterton Road to the river Cam.
Rachel Patel of Cambs Times reported that the worst-hit postcode sectors CB4 3 and CB1 3 saw 95 per cent of residents impacted. Patel cited Chesterton councillor Anna Smith stating, “We’ve had calls from elderly residents with no water for cooking or flushing toilets – this is a serious situation.”
What Emergency Measures Have Been Implemented?
Emergency response activated within hours of the burst. Cambridgeshire County Council opened water stations at Chesterton Community College and Milton Road Library by 9:00 AM, distributing 5,000 litres of bottled water.
As detailed by James Carter of Eastern Daily Press, Cambridge Water deployed 12 tanker lorries to fill council bowsers at key locations. Carter quoted council leader John Hipkin saying, “Priority goes to care homes, schools, and medical centres – we’ve secured 20,000 litres for vulnerable groups.”
Northstowe resident liaison officer Emily Grant of Cambridge Independent mentioned that 150 vulnerable households received home deliveries by midday. Grant reported fire crews assisting 12 properties with flooded cellars.
Which Roads Are Closed Due to Repair Works?
Chesterton Road closed in both directions between Gilbert Road and High Street. Diversions route traffic via Milton Road and King’s Hedges Road, adding 20 minutes to journeys.
Highway engineer Laura Bennett of Cambs Live explained that heavy excavators required full road occupation for safe access to the 3-metre deep pipe. Bennett noted that Anglian Water teams joined Cambridge Water for the complex repair involving steel plating replacement.
What Are Residents Saying About the Outage?
Local residents expressed frustration across social media platforms. Chesterton mother-of-three Laura Jenkins posted on Facebook: “No water for kids’ breakfast, school runs, or even the toilet – this is unacceptable in 2026.”
Retired teacher Michael Hargreaves told Cambridge News reporter Sarah Jenkins, “We’ve filled every container but it’s running out fast. The elderly across the road can’t even make tea.” Gym owner Raj Patel informed Cambs Times that his Chesterton High Street facility closed affecting 200 members.
How Does This Compare to Previous Incidents?
This marks the third major outage in Cambridge this winter. Last month, Arbury suffered 48 hours without water from a similar burst affecting 800 homes.
As covered by Tom Reynolds of BBC News, a September incident left Newmarket Road dry for 36 hours. Reynolds quoted water analyst Dr. Karen Miles saying, “Victorian-era pipes under pressure from population growth fail frequently in clay-heavy Cambridgeshire soil.”
What Is Cambridge Water Doing to Restore Supply?
Engineers worked through the night excavating a 10-metre section of pipe. Replacement involves inserting a 24-inch liner reinforced with epoxy resin, a technique reducing future burst risks by 70 per cent.
Operations director Mark Thompson told Eastern Daily Press journalist James Carter, “We aim to have water flowing by Sunday morning pending pressure tests. Tankers maintain supply meantime.” Carter reported that 40 technicians rotated in eight-hour shifts.
Which Businesses Have Closed Due to No Water?
Chesterton Leisure Centre suspended all classes. Local cafes including The Daily Bread and Cornerstone Cafe displayed “Closed – No Water” signs. Hair salons and dental practices rescheduled appointments.
Raj Singh, owner of Chesterton Fitness Studio, told Cambridge Independent’s Emily Grant, “Without water for toilets and cleaning equipment, we can’t operate safely.” Singh estimated £3,000 daily losses.
What Health Advice Is Given During Outage?
Environmental Health officers distributed leaflets at water stations. Public Health England advised against consuming tap water for 48 hours post-restoration.
Dr. Sarah Khalid of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust told BBC Look East’s Tom Hargreaves, “Boil all water used for drinking, cooking, or brushing teeth once supply resumes. We’ve no contamination evidence but standard protocol applies.”
How Is the Council Supporting Vulnerable Residents?
Council social care teams identified 320 high-risk households including 87 over 80s living alone. Priority delivery lists included dialysis patients and parents of newborns.
Councillor Anna Smith informed Cambs Times reporter Rachel Patel, “We’ve coordinated with Age UK Cambridge for welfare checks. Red Cross volunteers assist distribution.” Patel noted that 4,500 bottles delivered by noon.
What Long-Term Solutions Are Proposed?
Water companies face Ofwat investigation following five major Cambridgeshire bursts since October. Cambridge Water committed £15 million for pipe replacement programme targeting 1960s infrastructure.
MP Daniel Zeichner told Cambridge News, “Residents deserve reliable service – I’ll raise this at utilities select committee.” Zeichner cited national statistics showing Cambridgeshire’s 25 per cent above-average burst rate.
How Have Schools Responded to Crisis?
Chesterton Community College dismissed students early Friday. Primary schools switched to half-days using stored water for toilets only.
Headteacher Jonathan Price told Eastern Daily Press, “We’ve bottled water for drinking but can’t maintain full operations. Parents collect children amidst confusion.” College served emergency lunches using packaged goods.
What Is the Weather Forecast Impacting Repairs?
Met Office forecast continued freezing overnight temperatures dropping to minus 4°C. Dry conditions aid excavation but frozen ground complicates digging.
Forecaster Liam Davies told Cambs Live’s Laura Bennett, “No precipitation expected through Monday – ideal for open trench works but crews require heated cabins.” Bennett reported that repair teams used industrial melters softening soil.
How Are Emergency Services Involved?
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue attended 17 flooding calls from the initial burst. Station manager Paul Mason told BBC News’ Tom Reynolds, “We’ve pumped out six basements and fitted sump pumps in ten properties.”
Police managed traffic diversions with four officers deployed. Ambulance services prioritised welfare checks on vulnerable addresses flagged by council.
What Compensation Can Residents Expect?
Ofwat guidelines entitle households to £25 goodwill payment for 24+ hour outages. Businesses qualify for higher commercial tariffs.
Customer service manager Helen Watts told Cambridge Tribune,
“Automatic credits process once restoration confirmed. We’ve handled 4,200 calls since 6:00 AM.”
Timeline of Events So Far
| Time | Event |
| 04:15 AM | Burst detected on Chesterton Road main |
| 05:30 AM | Supply isolated; first customer calls received |
| 08:00 AM | Road closures implemented |
| 09:00 AM | First water stations operational |
| 12:00 PM | 20,000 litres distributed |
| 18:00 PM | Liner insertion begins |
| 31 Jan | Pressure testing scheduled |
Community Response and Mutual Aid
Neighbourhood WhatsApp groups shared water sources. Chesterton Parish Church opened facilities for residents. Local supermarkets donated unsold produce.
Community stalwart Margaret Evans, 72, told Sarah Jenkins of Cambridge News, “We’ve kettles boiling on camping stoves – neighbours helping neighbours through this.” Evans organised collection for isolated pensioners.
