More than 600 households in a Surrey village have been warned not to drink tap water after tests carried out by Thames Water following a previous fuel leak. The company said the advice was a precautionary measure for properties in Bramley, where there had been concerns about a petrol station spill.

Thames Water said "concerning results" had been identified in three areas, showing "elevated" levels of hydrocarbons, which petrol is made from. Resident Helen Melia said: "It's hugely inconvenient - hugely worrying."

Tess Fayers, Thames Water's regional operations director, told BBC Radio Surrey: "It is all linked to an issue with a fuel leak which has been plaguing the town of Bramley for quite some time."

Catha Holt said she had been drinking only bottled water since the start of the year. She said the notice was "quite worrying for people."

Steve Hardstone, landlord of the Jolly Farmer pub, said it had the only deep cellar in the high street, and the smell of fuel had "permeated the whole building". He said: "It's damaged us massively. We've had customers literally walk in and walk out again."

The pub is not covered by the advisory notice, and Mr Hardstone said it would continue to use water "with some reservation.".... Read Full Article