Water companies issue warning over usage as pipes break following extreme weather

Warnings come as thousands of households in the south and south-east were left without water as frozen pipes burst

China has bought an 8.7 slice of Thames Water (PA)

Water companies across London have asked customers to use as little water as possible because severe weather conditions have caused multiple pipes to burst.

More than 20,000 people were believed to be affected as thawing temperatures also caused a reservoir to drain in Hampstead.

Customers complained they have been unable to register outages with Thames Water because the helpline was unavailable.

Thames Water said they were aware of the problems and were hoping to resolve the problem.

“We’re aware that some customers in IG7 IG8 may be experiencing no water/low pressure. We have a team in the area investigating and we hope to repair it as soon as possible,” they tweeted.

Shops in the worst-affected areas have reportedly run out of bottled water as people to look to stock up.

Thames Water is currently trying to set up water bottle stations while the pipes are being fixed, the BBC reported.

The warnings come as thousands of households in the south and south-east were left without water as frozen pipes burst as they thawed.

South East Water apologised to customers across Berkshire, Hampshire, Kent, Sussex and Surrey, which had low pressure or no supply at all.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I am extremely concerned about the continued problems with the Thames Water supply, and it is unacceptable that thousands of Londoners remain without water.

"This is simply not good enough and I have sought assurances from Thames Water that they are doing everything possible to fix the problems and get the supply switched back on as soon as possible for everyone who has been affected.

"This cold weather should not have caused these problems for Thames Water."