Thames Water accused of ignoring warnings after hundreds in Surrey endure days without water

The desiccated bed of the River Mole by Pressforward Bridge, Surrey, as dry weather and hot temperatures continue. Photograph: Jonathan Brady/PA

Thames Water has been accused of repeatedly ignoring warnings about cuts to supplies and burst pipes in Surrey where hundreds of households had to endure three days without tap water at the height of this weekend’s heatwave.

Residents, including some who were vulnerable, had to queue for bottled water on Saturday in temperatures of well over 30C (86F) after a pump failure at Netley Mill treatment works.