People living in an apartment complex in Bristol have raised serious concerns after they have been without running water for nearly 48 hours.
Approximately 600 people live across two buildings at Box Makers Yard near Temple Meads Station, where residents say they have been without water since around 6.30am on Wednesday (February 9).
A standard one-bedroom apartment within the complex incurs a monthly rent cost of £1,160 as stated on their website, however, with extras such as a balcony or additional features, one-beds average at £1,300 according to one resident.
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A resident of Box Makers Yard, who wishes to remain anonymous, has spoken directly to Bristol Live about the ongoing issues with their water supply and a lack of communication from the property managers.
With no access to running water, staff provided residents with bottled water from the reception, but many people have had to look for other solutions at their offices or book hotel rooms.
Speaking on the difficulties, they said: "The problem with the bathroom was a major one yesterday because obviously, I needed to use it, and I did just want to make a journey to town to use the bathroom."
"Luckily, we’re just going to another building to use the shower there today and tomorrow," the resident explained.
"I know some people have been using their office facilities. Some people have been going to friends’ homes but that’s pretty much all we can do.
The resident said that the managers have been in contact via email, although they added that that communication has not been timely.
The resident continued: "Some of the residents were quite upset because they sent an email about some events taking place in the building, which is fine, but they were already aware of the water situation at that point."
This was acknowledged by the owners of Box Makers Yard, who apologised for sending an email out on the building's events according to the resident. They also said in their most recent email that a previous communication was not meant to blame residents for the issues with the water supply.
The most recent email communication to residents this evening blames Bristol Water for cutting off the main supply on Tuesday which resulted in their in-house water tanks draining. It says that the water supply was turned off today to allow the tanks to refill.
The email adds that the water was expected to be turned back on at 5pm today with the tanks having refilled throughout the day, but the resident Bristol Live has spoken to says that theirs has not yet returned. Residents have also been asked not to use their washing machines and dishwashers for the time being.
Bristol Live has approached Box Makers Yard for comment regarding issues to the buildings' water supply and is awaiting their response.
Hundreds of the apartment complex's residents have been communicating through a Whatsapp group to share their concerns over the delays to the supply returning: "Everyone on the group chat has said they have been affected. As far as we know no one has said their water is working."
The resident added that after speaking directly to Bristol Water, they said the fault remains with the building's system and is Box Makers Yard's responsibility to fix.
"Bristol Water said they sent an engineer to initially investigate the issue which was diagnosed as the building tank early during their visit. This engineer remained as a gesture of goodwill to try and fix but was unable to," according to the resident.
Considering this an emergency issue, the resident wondered why more effort has not been made to solve the problem: "Surely if there’s no water, people can be paid to stay extra? They can work overtime."
They added: "For us, it seemed like Box Makers Yard didn’t care."
Having lived in the apartment block since the building first opened last year, they said: “If this is was a normal place where you’re paying the average rent, it would be fine.
"We don’t moan about the rent but when you do pay that much you want these facilities provided with the rent, especially when the majority of people are paying more than £1,100 a month for a one-bed.
"People on average are paying £1,300 a month for a one-bed and that’s average, not including the apartments with balconies and other features. We just felt for that money it’s not good enough."
Some residents have been commenting on the Box Makers Yard Instagram page about the no-water issue while others have made contact with Legal & General on Twitter.
Bristol Water has been approached by Bristol Live for comment.
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