North Lincolnshire Leader Calls Summit as Water Disruption Hits Thousands
Council demands action after burst pipes leave 30,000 properties without water
Last updated 17th Sep 2026
The leader of North Lincolnshire Council has called for an urgent meeting with executives from the local water company following a major disruption affecting over 30,000 properties in Scunthorpe, Messingham, and surrounding areas.
The disruption occurred when overnight two pipes servicing the same network burst, causing homes and businesses to deal with low pressure, intermittent supplies, or no water at all.
Councillor Rob Waltham praised the efforts of local crews who worked through the night to make emergency repairs but emphasized that it's time for senior executives to address persistent failures across the water network.
Cllr Waltham expressed concern for the affected residents, noting that families are left without the ability to wash, businesses cannot operate effectively, and schools and community facilities are closing. Vulnerable individuals are particularly concerned about when water supplies will return to normal.
"This isn't an isolated incident," said Cllr Waltham, pointing to repeated leaks, interruptions, and pressure issues affecting North Lincolnshire. He outlined the need for water company bosses to set clear commitments regarding investment, repairs, and network resilience.
Temporary repairs have allowed water to return to the network; however, disruptions may continue as the reservoir refills and additional repair work takes place. Meanwhile, bottled water is being delivered to high-priority customers, and others are asked to conserve their water usage.
The call for a summit aims to ensure that these concerns are addressed with urgent action, moving beyond temporary fixes to sustainable solutions for the community's water supply.
In response an Anglian Water spokesperson said:
“We're really sorry about the ongoing disruption to water supplies for our customers in Scunthorpe and the surrounding areas today. Our team have started fixing the second burst water main, and the majority of people's supplies have started to return to normal. However, for some customers it's likely to take a little bit longer because it takes time to move water through the pipes and get to everyone’s taps once we’ve repaired the problem.
“In the meantime, if you still don’t have water at home, we’re opening a local collection point where you can pick up a supply of drinking water. You can collect water from 6pm onwards tonight at Scunthorpe United Football Club.
“Again, we’re really sorry for the disruption this has caused. Thanks to our customers in Scunthorpe for bearing with us while we make things right.”