The Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Romsey has slammed Southern Water for its “poor communication” as residents were left without water.

Romsey and Abbotswood residents went without water on Friday after Southern Water carried out works at its Testwood Water site.

At 8.00am, many residents of the Romsey and Abbotswood area woke to find out that they were without tap water.

Test Valley councillor, Geoff Cooper, will stand for Romsey and Southampton North at the next general election.

He said that he is working to hold Southern Water to account for their “poor communication strategy” with residents that has left many wondering why they are without water. 

Geoff continued: “Residents should not be finding out they are without water by turning on the tap to boil the kettle in the morning, but by direct communication with the utility company that many pay a lot of money for.

“The company have failed on many occasions to provide Water to the residents of the Romsey area, and what is worse is that on many occasion residents have been left in limbo, not knowing when their water might come back on.

“At Christmas time last year, many residents went again without water – I hope that Southern Water does not leave residents in the same position this year.

Speaking on the Romsey water issue, a spokesperson for Southern water said: “There was a temporary unplanned loss of supply while we carried out works at our Testwood Water Supply Work.

“We apologise to customers for the inconvenience. They should see their water return very soon, if not already.”

It comes after 18,000 homes in Hampshire were left without water in November, as Southern Water dealt with a major incident at its Testwood site in the wake of Storm Ciarán.

The homes affected were left with water for days and Southern Water set up bottled water stations to support residents.