HUNDREDS of homes are currently without water after a ‘substantial’ main burst near Halesowen last night (Thursday, October 5).

South Staffs Water is currently working to fix the burst main in Grange Hill, which has left 800 customers around Romsley waterless.

Those currently without water include Halesowen residential home Grange Hill House.

Home owner Tony Billingham said the residents and staff are trying their best to deal with the situation.

“It is a very serious situation here at the moment,” Mr Billingham said. “Our residents have been without water since last night but we are doing all we can to make sure we have enough water supplies here.

“We’re having to deal with something much bigger than your usual semi-detached house. We have 38 rooms all with toilets which need water to flush them. We can’t just pour down a bucket of water and be done with it.

“Last night I was out with my two very large emergency containers trying to get as much water as I could so our residents could have a cup of tea this morning.

“It was a like being back in the war, but we will manage.

“Grange Road being closed has also been a nightmare for us to get provisions in and out of the home and this is a big health and safety concern.

“In the last hour we have just had a trailer turn up with water on it. I couldn’t guess how much, so hopefully that will see us though in the short term, but we really need to have the water back on as soon as possible.”

Dudley Council expect the road to be closed – between Manor Way and Illey Lane – until “at least” Wednesday, October 11, due to the extent of the repairs needed to be carried out.

A spokesman for South Staffs Water, said: “We are really sorry for any inconvenience caused.

“We are working to fix the burst as quickly as possible and would like to thank residents, businesses and motorists for their patience while we get it fixed.”

The water company currently has a number of engineers on site to locate the burst and undertake repairs required and hopes to have a water supply in place later this evening (Friday).

But in the meantime, water supplies have been made temporarily available for customers to collect at The Sun and The Swallows Nest pubs in Bromsgrove Road, Romsley.

People getting water from the pubs are requested to take suitable containers.

South Staffs Water are also warning affected residents that the water may look a different colour to normal when it is back on.

The spokesman added: “Although the water may not look very nice, it’s not harmful to health and running the cold water tap in your kitchen will help to clear it.”

For the latest updates on the issue, visit www.south-staffs-water.co.uk.

During the road closure, traffic heading from Worcestershire towards Dudley will be diverted via Illey Lane, Kitwell Lane, Wood lane, Woodgate Lane, Lye Avenue, Lye Close Lane, Lapal Lane South and Manor Way.

While heading from Dudley to Worcestershire, vehicles will have to go via Manor Way, Uffmoor Lane, St Kenelms Road and Bromsgrove Road.