RESIDENTS of Ridgway Road, Farnham, were left without water for 11 hours last Thursday - following the launch of a massive pipe cleaning programme by South East Water.

Of the £6.5m budget that South East Water had set aside for 2004, £2m is being spent on a huge mains rehabilitation programme in Farnham.

But disaster struck when Ridgway Road residents had their water turned off at 8 am and did not have it turned back on again until 7 pm - with no prior warning.

One resident complained: "The whole road was affected, which was 35 houses. This included two babies, a diabetic and an elderly couple, who were all without water for 11 hours."

He added: "We were given absolutely no warning. If you are warned, you can take measures such as filling a bath. It meant that 30 toilets went unflushed for 11 hours.

"This had serious environmental health implications. We think that everyone affected should get some form or reimbursement from South East Water."

A supply of emergency water was delivered to the road at 5-15 pm, but residents have said that this was not enough to cater for all those affected.

A South East Water representative, Elaine White, said: "An important part of the work we are carrying out in Farnham is an updating of historical drawings and documents that indicate the routes of the mains system.

"This was an example of a discrepancy in the plans, and resulted in an unforeseen interruption to supply. We regret that residents of Ridgway Road were inconvenienced on Thursday. Emergency water supplies were delivered as soon as the problem was reported to us."

South East Water is carrying out the work following a number of complaints over brown water in the area.

Mains rehabilitation co-ordinator Dave Skelhorn said: "We consulted the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) and, after they agreed there was a problem, we began work. What we are doing is a fast, efficient and effective way of cleaning a big area.

"We can clean around 900 metres of pipe a week. If they were replacing the pipe they would only be able to do 50 or 60 metres per week."

He added: "It is a constant process, but it is all part of the job of getting the Farnham pipes into a much improved state."

Once relined, a pipe should last around 60 years.

Mr Skelhorn said that the company will be giving out an information booklet to customers to warn them when their water supply is likely to be affected by the work.

"People may have their water shut off for periods of half an hour over a time scale of three to four days," he explained.