Islington Tribune - News: 'Move us out' plea as taps run dry

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Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER
Published: 21 December 2007

‘Move us out’ plea as taps run dry

TENANTS who have not had running water for a week at their 16-storey tower block are demanding temporary rehousing in time for Christmas.
The loss of water has hit families living on the fifth floor of Ilex House on the Holly Park estate in Crouch Hill, Stroud Green.
Water pressure is so low that residents have been unable to wash, shower, bath or use the toilet since last Thursday. Lack of water means cooking is extremely difficult and in some cases tenants have had to tell visitors not to visit for Christmas.
Unemployed engineer turned voluntary worker Jeremy Osinnowo, 41, said: “Every morning I go to the tap and there’s no water. I can’t wash or shave or have a cup of tea. It’s very depressing.
“It means I mainly have to eat out and try to get a bath with friends or family.”
Maintenance staff at Homes for Islington – the housing agency of Islington Council – were busily trying to remedy the situation this week. The problem appears to be a faulty pump and only seems to affect residents on the fifth floor and occasionally the fourth floor.
To make matters worse, tenants complain that stocks of bottled water supplied by the concierge are not being replaced fast enough when they have run out.
“We’re expected to buy our own drinking water,” Mr Osinnowo added. “And then haul it up to the fifth floor. You need dozens of bottles to make it worthwhile. It’s just a nightmare.”
Ex-nurse Soodin Nivedida has not had water for two weeks. “It’s like a third world situation,” she said. “On the rare occasion I’ve had water I try and stockpile it. In the meantime I’m still expected to pay my water rates with my rent.”
Diabetic and arthritis sufferer Sophia Dorris, 37, a former veterinary nurse, said that without water she can’t wash her hands before she injects her insulin, risking infection.
“I have pets I need to feed and because I can’t use the washing machine I can’t wash my clothes,” she said.
“They haven’t told me what’s going on. I don’t even know if they know what the problem is. Someone thought it might be an air lock.
“I’m not looking forward to Christmas. I can’t cook without water.
“I don’t like even putting the heating on in case the water drains from the radiators. I think at the very least they should rehouse us temporarily until they sort the problem out.”
A spokeswoman for Thames Water said it was investigating the situation and was hoping to have a report today Friday.

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