Lee Anderson MP says response to water issues was typical of Ashfield community spirit

Last Friday, I was alerted that residents in Kirkby were having problems with their water supply, so I immediately called the chief executive of Severn Trent Water (STW) to get to the bottom of it.

I was advised that demand was up by more than 30 per cent and STW could not get the water through the pipes fast enough.

The problems continued through Saturday and there was also now a problem in Huthwaite where a pump had to be changed which meant no water for half of the village and running through in to Sutton.

I asked STW to provide water collection points in Kirkby, Sutton and Huthwaite and these were all set up the following day.

Through social media an army of Ashfield volunteers came together with people like Tray from Carsic who once again stepped to arrange water collection points on the estate, or Joanne and her brilliant Mansfield and Ashfield Support Group who worked with me to transport water to the elderly, vulnerable, care homes and anyone else who needed their help.

A big mention also to BJ, Paula and John who helped me all day in Huthwaite keep residents stocked up with water.

This was a real armada of good local people who when needed came forward to help Ashfield.

Hopefully now things have settled down, I can start to get some answers from STW.

Of course, I know demand is up, it does not take a genius to work out that more people than every are at home and we are going through a hot period where people will fill their paddling pools, water their lawns and take more showers – I totally get that.

However, a problem like this should be anticipated in my opinion and if the good people of Ashfield would have had fair warning then I am sure we could have all tried to use a little less water and got through this ordeal much better.

Last Sunday, I was totally frustrated to drive through the streets in Huthwaite where people had no water and other streets where people were washing their cars.

Proof in point is when an elderly gentleman came up to our collection point on Huthwaite market and said to me ‘I am very sorry, but I have had my sprinkler on all day and if I had known I would not have used it’.

This type of comment was common throughout the day and is something I have already spoken to STW about.

Better communication is needed so we can all pull together.

This saga also reminded me that we are all guilty of taking our home comforts for granted and none more so than the constant supply of fresh water direct in to our homes.

It is a valuable commodity which should never be taken for granted.

That aside, we pay or bills and expect a first class service in our country and I will push to make sure the residents of Ashfield are listened to on this matter.

Lee Anderson is MP for Ashfield.