BURRATOR Parish Council has called for a site meeting in Dousland to address residents’ fears around burst water mains in the village.

The recent damaging flooding of homes in Dousland, caused by a burst water main, has significantly raised concerns among residents about the condition of the water supply network in the village.

The parish council has written to South West Water asking for a site meeting to explain local fears that other serious bursts could happen and to discuss a way ahead.

In a letter to the water company, parish council chairman Cllr Robin Aves, said: ‘The water main burst on June 11 that flooded properties in Burrator Road, Dousland, has significantly raised concern among the residents about the risk of flooding due to water leaks in the area.’

He referred to a series of other bursts and pipe failures in the village in the recent past. He said: ‘It is understood that the failure was caused by a defective air valve which is the same as that which caused a failure on April 11, 2006. Your records will also show that the flood that damaged a property in Iron Mine Lane, Dousland, on February 17, 2014, was also caused by an air valve failure.’

Cllr Aves went on to suggest that these three incidents, within 300 metres of each other, indicated a ‘common failure mode’ that may be ‘due to missed periodic maintenance or end of life degradation’.

He added: ‘It also appears from the network map that there may be another air valve east and uphill of the junction of Manor Park and Woodlands.’

He drew attention to seven other supply pipe failures in Myrtle Close, Dousland, which have damaged property over the past few years.

‘The periodicity of a burst every summer for the last four years gives significant worry for 2019,’ he wrote. ‘After one leak, your staff on site stated that the ring would be replaced. That did not happen but a further burst last year flooded properties in Myrtle Close and ran downhill into houses in Manor Park.’

All these problems were raised at the parish council’s last meeting, when it was agreed that Cllr Aves should lead on this issue and contact South West Water to request a site meeting and to seek assurances for the future.