Engineers have repaired a pipe which caused a 100ft geyser to spray water into the air for more than 24 hours.
The jet-like surge of water had been gushing since yesterday afternoon in a field near the Gloucester Old Spot pub in Cheltenham.
Water firm Severn Trent said the well-protected pipe had been hit by a piece of heavy machinery, causing the eruption.
A jet-like surge of water had been gushing since yesterday afternoon in a field near the Gloucester Old Spot pub in Cheltenham
‘The issue was caused by third party damage to one of the biggest pipes we have in Gloucestershire,’ a company spokesperson said.
‘The pipe was very well protected so the damage was caused by some form of heavy machinery.’
It is believed the pipe was damaged in an accident before being repaired as part of a complex operation.
‘Our teams worked incredibly hard overnight and into today to ensure that no customers were affected as a result of the damage.
‘We had to reducing flows from our treatment works to reduce the pressure, so that our engineers could fix the pipe which has now been done.
‘Had we switched the pipe off, it would’ve threatened supplies to thousands of our customers.’
The geyser released large amounts of water in the midst of a stringent hosepipe ban in the North West — which is expected to affect seven million Britons.
Residents feared the 100ft fountain could result in a hosepipe ban, but Severn Trent said there are no plans for a ban.
A heavy piece of machinery is believed to have damaged the pipe in an accident causing a 100ft geyser to erupt skywards
Engineers have since fixed the pipe and assured residents in the area there are no plans for a hosepipe ban
Cheltenham local Angus Bethune, 39, claims 100,000 gallons of water was being wasted per hour.
Mr Bethune said: ‘A worker told me he has been with Severn Trent for nine years and it’s the biggest he’s ever seen.’
Customers in the North West have been warned to not use a hose for their garden, car or to wash-down their outdoor area during the the ban.
The blanket-ban also stops families from using a hosepipe to fill a pond or paddling pool.
Offenders can face a fine of up to £1000 if they are caught evading the ban and using the water-based utilities.
It is estimated 100,000 gallons of water was being lost by the burst pipe