A large number of houses in Helston and on the Lizard Peninsula are facing a less than festive Christmas Eve after finding themselves without water today (Sunday).

Others are experiencing low pressure, due to a burst water main affecting the extended supply.

South West Water has said that engineers are currently on site working to isolate the issue and return the supply for the “majority” of customers.

Many people in Helston have been speaking on social media of the issues in Helston, while people in St Keverne are also reporting a loss of water supply.

Videos posted on social media show flooding in the Trenethick Parc area and surrounding estates off Redruth Road. 

The company first issued a statement not long after 8.30am to say: “Customers in Helston - TR13 may be experiencing lower pressure or loss of supply, we have an engineer on the way to investigate. Thank you for your patience and apologies for any inconvenience.

Then at 10.12am, the company extended the issue to properties in the TR12 postcode area also.

It said: “Customers in Helston - TR12 may be experiencing lower pressure or discolouration, we are on site isolating the burst. Thank you for your patience and apologies for any inconvenience.”

Customer service representatives have been responding to questions, telling one customer at 9.39am: “The engineer is onsite and is currently isolating the burst to bring the majority of people back into supply so you should see your supply return within the next hour.”

Some properties have reported their water returning at around 11.10am, although it is heavily discoloured.

In South West Water’s ‘customer promise’ it states: “If the public water supply to your home is unexpectedly interrupted (due to a burst main, for instance) or where we have to carry out emergency repairs affecting your water supply, we’ll restore the supply within 12 hours of becoming aware of the interruption.

“If we fail to restore your supply within these times, we’ll automatically pay you £30, plus an additional £30 for each further 12-hour period your supply remains unrestored.

“We’ll make payment within 20 working days of the supply interruption. If we don’t make a payment which we should know is due to you, we’ll automatically make an additional payment of £20.

“Where we don’t identify that you’re affected and are therefore unable to make an automatic payment, you can claim your payment within three months of the date on which your supply is interrupted.”