A pensioner has slammed Affinity Water's "poor" response as a major water leak “constantly” spilled out water during drought conditions.

William Metcalfe said a pipe outside his house in South Approach, Moor Park, left a “substantial volume" of water flowing outside his house over the weekend.

Mr Metcalfe reported the leak to Affinity water at 9.30am on Saturday (August 13) and the company told him that it would be two days until it could be inspected.

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Yesterday morning the 78-year-old said: “We are in a drought area and there is a substantial volume of water constantly flowing into the road gulley.

“Lots of people have been reporting it and there has been no diminishing of the flow over the whole weekend.

Watford Observer: The leak in South ApproachThe leak in South Approach

“Such a poor response from Affinity during the drought is clearly not acceptable.

“It sounds from what they told me that they just don’t have the staff to attend to the leaks going on.”

Watford Observer: The leak in South ApproachThe leak in South Approach

On Friday, August 12, a drought was declared in Hertfordshire following the country’s driest summer for 50 years.

An Affinity Water spokesperson said: “Reducing leakage is incredibly important to us and our customers.

“A leak on South Approach, Northwood was reported to us on 15 August, and we immediately sent a technician to investigate.

Watford Observer: The leak in South ApproachThe leak in South Approach

"The leak should be repaired this evening.

“Periods of extreme dry weather can cause shifts in ground movement, which can cause pipes to bend and crack, releasing water and increasing the amount of repairs we need to carry out.

“Our key workers are working around the clock to keep the taps flowing and to deal with these repairs.

“We would like to thank customers that have reported leaks into us so we can plan in the repairs and continue our drive to reduce leakage across our network.

Watford Observer: William Metcalfe by the leak in South ApproachWilliam Metcalfe by the leak in South Approach

“If you have spotted a leak please report it to us at www.affinitywater.co.uk/leakspotters”

Yesterday evening William Metcalfe confirmed Affinity Water sent out two workmen who dug the hole by hand and finished the repair.

He added that he intends to tell Affinity Water how good the workmen were.

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