Families unable to take showers for fortnight after water main bursts

Some residents were forced to boil the kettle to get hot water to wash as a result of the issue which emerged two-and-a-half weeks ago in Farringdon Street, Walsall.

It was caused by damage to a pipe which was near a telegraph pole and has taken until this week to be fully repaired.

The pole needed to be moved to make way for water engineers to access the pipe.

The water pressure has since returned to normal.

Resident Melanie Vickers, aged 59, said: "It has been going on for two weeks and we haven't been able to have a shower or a bath.

We were having to boil the kettle and take a bowl of water into the bathroom as the pressure just wasn't good enough.

"it was a nightmare but we are so glad it is sorted now. It went on for a long time and the water company explained that it was because the pipe was in an awkward position and the telegraph pole had to be moved."

Mrs Vickers, who lives with her son Ian, 41, said the whole street was 'delighted' to have a full water supply back. She added: "I had a shower for 10 minutes when it came back on.

"You don't realise how much you miss something until it's gone. It's something you take for granted but water is so important.

"Everyone was knocking my door and saying they couldn't believe the water was finally back.

"They were all really happy and we are just glad we can get back to normal now."

Mrs Vickers said there were originally fears that it could take another month for the telegraph pole to be moved as the process was so complicated.

But engineers eventually spent about five hours at the site fixing the problem, and temporarily moving the pole.

Mrs Vickers said: "They did a good job when they got here. We were just worried that it wouldn't get sorted."

Up to 10 properties are believed to have been affected by the problems.

South Staffs Water spokeswoman Caroline Maddox said the problem was fixed by 9pm on Wednesday night.

She said: "BT engineers moved the telegraph pole and the pipe was then repaired so water pressure has returned to normal."