Thames Water has faced severe criticism described as disgraceful after additional residents in Oxfordshire experienced water supply interruptions caused by a ruptured main.

Water supplies to homes in the Chipping Norton region ceased on Monday, March 23 following a burst water main along the B4030 road heading towards Bicester.

This incident came after a comparable occurrence in Eynsham and coincided with revelations that a wastewater treatment facility situated between Wallingford and Didcot had the highest rate of unlawful discharges within Thames Water’s entire network.

Cliff Roney, a former utility worker, GMB Union representative and Channel 4’s Dirty Business contributor, stated that Oxfordshire desperately requires transformation.

He expressed that the company had increased charges by 31 percent in the previous year, yet everyday people continued to endure water shortages while witnessing raw sewage contaminating local rivers and streams.

According to him, Thames Water’s management is shameful, and inhabitants throughout Oxfordshire and the nation are demanding urgent reform.

He emphasized the critical need to bring water services into public ownership to safeguard customers, employees and the environment before irreversible damage occurs.

Regarding the Chipping Norton situation, Thames Water reported that crews laboured throughout the night to address the fault and extended apologies to those affected.

The company maintains that enhancing river conditions remains a primary priority, noting that the opening six months of the current financial year have demonstrated steady advancement across all operational sectors.