Harold Hill pensioners lose bathroom water supply over Christmas period
Tenants of Chalbury Crescent in Harold Hill have lacked a consistent bathroom water supply since Christmas Eve. Photo: Google - Credit: Archant
Christmas has been complicated for the tenants of a home for the elderly left without a consistent bathroom water supply.
A water tank supplying showers and toilets at the Charlbury Crescent sheltered housing scheme in Harold Hill, has been broken since Christmas Eve.
The scheme – also known as Charlbury Court – has three homes with a total of 51 self-contained flats and at least 30 residents are thought to be affected.
Tenant Derek Dench, 69, awoke on Christmas Day to find his toilet would not flush.
He said: “Despite mobility issues, many tenants in this complex were told to carry heavy water filled containers through flats from kitchen to bathroom.”
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“It should be born in mind many tenants use walking aids such as sticks and Zimmer frames to get around.
“It seems incredible that no major accidents have happened yet.”
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Derek also spoke of the critical importance of hygiene to many tenants and the risks of prolonged water access issues, saying he knew of one woman who has open wounds which need to be cleaned every day.
He added: “For most residents this has had a significant effect on their enjoyment of Christmas and I wish the council to bear this in mind.”
A gas engineer is due to arrive shortly to repair the valve, according to a Havering council spokesman.
As a temporary solution, a supply tank has been repeatedly refilled by council contracted plumber since Wednesday.
The spokesman said: “We are very sorry for the inconvenience experienced by residents of Charlbury Crescent in Harold Hill.”
“Unfortunately a problem with a valve on the tank that supplies water for showers and toilets was identified on Christmas Eve but could not be repaired immediately.”
He added: “Our interim director of housing personally visited the homes on Boxing Day morning and additional bottled water supplies were provided for residents in case the tank ran dry before the next top-up.”
