**‘Medieval’ Conditions Persist in Cardiff Flats as Residents Endure Years Without Reliable Water Supply**
For residents of Caerau Court in Cardiff, basic everyday activities such as showering or boiling a kettle have become ongoing challenges, with many likening their living conditions to something from the distant past. For almost two decades, and worsening significantly in recent years, those living in these flats have struggled to access running water for hours at a time, particularly on weekends.
Frustration runs high amongst locals, who have been forced to adopt a range of coping mechanisms simply to get by. Stories shared by residents reveal how many wake up in the early hours to secure a shower, while others have resorted to boiling water to help care for elderly family members. Purchasing bottled water has become the norm for some, often placing an additional financial burden on already-stretched households.
One longstanding resident, Richard Tobin, aged 75, described the impact these water shortages have had on his day-to-day life. “On weekends, you can go 10 or 12 hours without a single drop through the tap,” he explained, noting that even when water does eventually arrive, the pressure is so low that it cannot reliably heat his boiler or power a decent shower. The inconvenience, he said, has reached a breaking point for many of his neighbours.
Management of the site is overseen by Wales & West Housing, which attributes the problem to reduced water pressure within the area. The organisation claims work to remedy the situation is scheduled to begin this year, but for those affected, change appears to be coming far too slowly. Residents are currently being provided with containers to fill during periods when the supply is working, but moving heavy, water-filled containers is a significant struggle for many in the largely over-50s resident population—compounded by fears of water in the containers becoming stagnant, particularly during warm spells.
The weekend water outages are believed to be triggered by increased usage, with many residents at home during these times. Mr Tobin shared a poignant account of caring for his late aunt, who at 95, relied on carers each morning. “I would stay up late or get up at odd hours just to fill water bottles while the supply lasted, boiling kettles so her carers could help with washing. It felt utterly medieval,” he recounted.
Residents insist they have repeatedly aired their grievances with both Wales & West and Welsh Water (Dŵr Cymru) over the years. While both organisations say discussions have been ongoing since 2020, a spokesperson for Welsh Water maintained the area’s water pressure “remains above the required operating standard”. This has left many residents feeling as though their voices are being ignored, and their hardships dismissed.
Julia Walsh, who has lived at Caerau Court for eight years, said she noticed the problems as soon as she moved in. She revealed that the situation has resulted in ruined laundry and even instances when there was no water at all on Christmas morning. “It’s getting harder just trying to cook, let alone wash clothes and dishes. We’re buying bottled water at an extra £10 a week—and that soon adds up.”
Martin Newman, another resident, echoed these sentiments, voicing worries about his appliances being damaged by the unreliable supply. “On weekends, if you don’t fill up bottles and whatever containers you have by 8am, that’s it—you’re left without water. My wife gets frustrated because she can’t do laundry, and the washing machine keeps running with no water inside. It’s turning daily life into a nightmare.”
Despite the promise of a solution, residents remain sceptical. There have been assurances from Wales & West that contractors are working on designing a water storage and pump system, described as a “major investment project” due to begin later this year. Yet, for many at Caerau Court, these reassurances ring hollow after years of living without the most basic necessity.
The difficulties faced by these Cardiff residents underscore a broader issue around access to reliable utilities, especially in older housing blocks. As work to resolve the problems continues, the hope remains that those at Caerau Court will soon be able to put their “medieval” living conditions behind them and once again enjoy modern comforts that so many take for granted.