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Water supplies returning to homes Water supplies returning to homes
(40 minutes later)
Mains water supplies are due to begin returning to tens of thousands of homes in Gloucestershire following the repair of a flooded treatment works. Water supplies will begin returning to thousands of homes in Gloucestershire within hours, after engineers battled to repair a flooded treatment works.
But Severn Trent Water - which plans to phase in supplies over a week - warned that the water would not initially be fit for drinking, even if boiled.But Severn Trent Water - which plans to phase in supplies over a week - warned that the water would not initially be fit for drinking, even if boiled.
Fears of fresh flooding faded after predicted overnight rainfall failed to swell river levels significantly. County police chief Tim Brain asked people to stay patient, adding: "There is light at the end of the tunnel."
Forecasters say England and Wales can expect mainly dry weather this week. Fears of more flooding have faded and drier weather is forecast for the week.
Tens of thousands of people lost running water supplies after the floods hit more than a week ago. "The restoration of supply is beginning very slowly and cautiously, and appropriately so, because we don't want any mishaps at this stage," said Chief Constable Brain.
Severn Trent said the newly restored water also must not be used for preparing food, making ice or brushing teeth. About 140,000 Gloucestershire homes lost running water supplies after the floods first hit more than a week ago, putting the Mythe treatment plant, near Tewkesbury, out of action.
Until further notice the tap water can only be used for purposes such as bathing, showering and flushing toilets, the firm added. A few thousand homes in the Tewkesbury area will be the first to get their water back over the next day, then supplies will be returned area by area.
Now engineers have restarted the works - which serve about 130,000 homes - the company plans to restore supplies, area by area, over the next week.
For the majority of homes in Gloucester and Cheltenham, reconnection is still several days away Andy Smith, Severn Trent Water BBC Weather Centre latestFor the majority of homes in Gloucester and Cheltenham, reconnection is still several days away Andy Smith, Severn Trent Water BBC Weather Centre latest
They will release details of areas that are due to be reconnected each day, said a statement. Severn Trent said it hoped to restore the water supply to all homes in the region by Thursday.
Director of water services Andy Smith described the weekend's progress as "significant". Nearly 54,000 homes in and around Gloucester could expect supplies to resume tomorrow, with the Cheltenham area following a day later.
But he added: "This does not mean that customers will have water at their taps immediately. Wider areas of Tewkesbury will begin to get water over the next 24 hours, but for the majority of homes in Gloucester and Cheltenham, reconnection is still several days away." The company said where possible people should turn taps off which may have been left open when supplies were first lost.
Newly restored water must not be used for preparing food, making ice or brushing teeth, it added.
Director of water services Andy Smith described the weekend's progress as "significant". Police later said it had put the restoration work one day ahead of schedule.
But Mr Smith added: "This does not mean that customers will have water at their taps immediately. For the majority of homes in Gloucester and Cheltenham, reconnection is still several days away."
He said 1,200 miles of water pipes still needed to be re-filled.He said 1,200 miles of water pipes still needed to be re-filled.
'Thank goodness''Thank goodness'
Extra inspectors were out checking supplies and pipes, but he urged people to watch out for bogus callers posing as water officials.Extra inspectors were out checking supplies and pipes, but he urged people to watch out for bogus callers posing as water officials.
"All genuine Severn Trent workers carry ID and will be happy to wait outside while you confirm their identity. If there is any doubt who the caller is keep them out," he said."All genuine Severn Trent workers carry ID and will be happy to wait outside while you confirm their identity. If there is any doubt who the caller is keep them out," he said.
A specialist hovercraft was used to find a body in Tewkesbury
Customers could ring 0800 783 4444 to check or even ring the police, he added.Customers could ring 0800 783 4444 to check or even ring the police, he added.
Although flood-hit areas in western England saw more rain overnight it was not as bad as feared.Although flood-hit areas in western England saw more rain overnight it was not as bad as feared.
Daniel Corns who lives in Kempsey in Worcestershire told BBC Radio Five Live he had been worried the water would come in again.Daniel Corns who lives in Kempsey in Worcestershire told BBC Radio Five Live he had been worried the water would come in again.
"Last night it was constantly on my mind and [I was] looking out every five minutes to see whether the rain was still pouring down - but it didn't, thank goodness"."Last night it was constantly on my mind and [I was] looking out every five minutes to see whether the rain was still pouring down - but it didn't, thank goodness".
VAT 'profits'VAT 'profits'
Nigel Bolton, from the Met Office, told BBC Radio Five Live there was a "glimmer of hope on the horizon".Nigel Bolton, from the Met Office, told BBC Radio Five Live there was a "glimmer of hope on the horizon".
He said: "We will have mainly dry days, for two or three days at least anyway, with some sunshine.He said: "We will have mainly dry days, for two or three days at least anyway, with some sunshine.
"And some fairly brisk north westerly winds for Sunday and into Monday, and this should actually help the drying process up."
A specialist hovercraft was used to find a body in Tewkesbury
The Environment Agency has no severe flood warnings in place but there are still three standard flood warnings.The Environment Agency has no severe flood warnings in place but there are still three standard flood warnings.
These are all for the River Severn - at Gloucester, between Worcester and Tewkesbury, and from Tewkesbury to upstream of Gloucester.These are all for the River Severn - at Gloucester, between Worcester and Tewkesbury, and from Tewkesbury to upstream of Gloucester.
But emergency planner for Worcestershire County Council, Simon Geraghty, said the worst was over for his county, which was now in "recovery mode".
As the floods receded Communities Secretary Hazel Blears told News 24 it was important local and national authorities kept those affected "in our minds" in the months ahead.As the floods receded Communities Secretary Hazel Blears told News 24 it was important local and national authorities kept those affected "in our minds" in the months ahead.
"What's really important for government now is that we do the clean-up but that we also stay in touch with these people. People were saying to me 'we can just about cope', but they are worried about it happening again in future." "What's really important for government now is that we do the clean-up but that we also stay in touch with these people."
Meanwhile opposition politicians have said the government should not "profit" from the floods by collecting VAT on the resulting building repair work.Meanwhile opposition politicians have said the government should not "profit" from the floods by collecting VAT on the resulting building repair work.
Shadow environment minister Bill Wiggins told the Sunday Express more money should be released for those in need. Both shadow environment minister Bill Wiggins and Lib Dem environment spokesman Chris Huhne told the Sunday Express more money should be released for those in need.
The increased revenue from repairs should allow the government to be more generous, added the Lib Dem's environment spokesman Chris Huhne.
See where the heaviest rain fellEnlarge MapSee where the heaviest rain fellEnlarge Map
Police in Tewkesbury searching for Mitchell Taylor, 19, who went missing after leaving a bar on 21 July, found a body on Saturday.Police in Tewkesbury searching for Mitchell Taylor, 19, who went missing after leaving a bar on 21 July, found a body on Saturday.
Gloucestershire Police said the man's body, which has not yet been formally identified, was discovered by an Italian hovercraft crew in flooded parkland. Gloucestershire Police said the man's body had still not been formally identified.
On Thursday, Bram Lane, 64, and his son Chris, 27, were found dead at Tewkesbury Rugby Club.On Thursday, Bram Lane, 64, and his son Chris, 27, were found dead at Tewkesbury Rugby Club.
They are thought to have been overcome by fumes as they used a petrol-powered pump to clear floodwater.They are thought to have been overcome by fumes as they used a petrol-powered pump to clear floodwater.
Environment Agency floodline: 0845 988 1188Environment Agency floodline: 0845 988 1188
Have you been affected by the floods? How are the drinking water supplies? Please use the form below to tell us about your experiences.Have you been affected by the floods? How are the drinking water supplies? Please use the form below to tell us about your experiences.
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