Around 73,000 properties have been affected by a huge water outage across Southampton, Eastleigh and the New Forest, according to the leader of Hampshire County Council.

The huge supply outage was triggered by an automated shutdown at a reservoir at Testwood Water Treatment Works on Tuesday because of water quality concerns, according to Cllr Nick Adams-King.

It affected the supply to tens of thousands of properties throughout Wednesday, with householders first noticing low pressure before the taps went dry.

Southern Water said engineers were hoping to fix the issue by Thursday morning.

Read more on the water outage:

Cllr Adams-King said 14,500 properties have been rezoned and 58,000 properties across the three districts will experience a loss of supply.

Additionally, 70 schools are, or will soon be, off supply.

He said: "The reservoir needs to be drained, inspected, and refilled before resupply can begin.

"Any water currently coming through the network is safe to drink.

"The duration of the supply loss is unknown, with updates expected by 1800hrs tonight.

"Bottled water is being distributed to 12,000 residents on the Priority Services Register. Vulnerable persons checks are ongoing.

"Critical sites like Southampton General Hospital are prioritized for tankered water supply."

He added bottled water distribution sites are being set up - at Places Leisure in Eastleigh, Sainsbury's in Lordshill, Southampton FC training ground in Marchwood and Asda in Totton.

The Conservative councillor continued: "For the second year running just before Christmas this has occurred.

"I have a meeting tomorrow with the Chief Executive of Southern Water and will be making the point to him that this is entirely unacceptable."