**Water Supply Disruption Sparks Disarray in Pembrokeshire’s Holiday Hotspot**
Hundreds of residents and tourists in the bustling holiday destinations of Tenby and Saundersfoot have been left grappling with an unexpected water outage following a burst main pipe on Friday morning. The incident, which has struck during one of the busiest periods for this scenic part of Pembrokeshire, has cast a shadow over the summer season, with many holidaymakers and local businesses feeling the strain.
Welsh Water, the principal utility supplier in the region, has confirmed ongoing efforts to repair the ruptured main. Despite their swift response, households and visitors alike awoke to find either reduced water pressure or completely dry taps, a situation that poses a particular challenge given the region’s summer influx of tourists.
One holidaymaker, enjoying a break at a campsite on Broadfield Hill, described a disconcerting start to the day. “There were only dribbles coming from the tap when I woke up,” they explained. “I checked our campsite’s Facebook group and saw messages flagging the problem. Later, while driving near New Hedges, we saw Welsh Water teams onsite and large puddles stretching across the road.”
Local businesses, including cafés and restaurants that rely heavily on a steady water supply, have also had to adapt at short notice. The disruption comes at a critical time, coinciding with school holidays and peak visitor numbers for the picturesque South Welsh coast. Many hotels and bed and breakfasts have had to reassure their guests and hope for a swift restoration of service.
Welsh Water issued a statement to address growing concern among affected customers, acknowledging, “We’re aware of a burst on our network which is impacting water supply in the area. While our engineers work to fix the pipe, some residents and guests may continue to experience low pressure or a total loss of water.” The company is aiming for a resolution by late afternoon, though no exact timeframe has been committed.
The company outlined the repair process, which involves a structured five-stage approach: initial investigation, pinpointing the fault, conducting necessary repairs, restoring service and road surfaces, and finally, issuing a detailed update. Welsh Water also emphasised that running a cold kitchen tap can help eliminate any discolouration that may occur when supply returns.
For more vulnerable members of the community—including the elderly, those with medical needs, and individuals with disabilities—the loss of water poses heightened risks. Welsh Water has encouraged affected residents to register for its Priority Services programme, which provides targeted assistance to those most in need during such outages.
So far, the communication from Welsh Water has been regular but has not included an exact prediction for when the tap water will be fully restored. Locals and visitors have taken to social media to share updates and seek advice, while some businesses have distributed bottled water and clarified contingency plans to their customers in the meantime.
Whilst the weather continues to lure holidaymakers to the splendid nearby beaches, the frustration felt in homes and holiday lets is palpable. For families returning from a salty day by the sea, the lack of clean running water is especially unwelcome.
As engineers continue their work, the busy communities of Tenby and Saundersfoot remain hopeful that normal service will resume soon and that this disruption will remain a brief blip in their otherwise sunny summer. Welcoming thousands at this time of year, the areas’ reliance on essential services has been underscored—reminding all just how vital infrastructure resilience remains in the UK’s most popular tourist regions.