A SINGLE mother was left without water over the Christmas period leaving her unable to "cook, clean, flush the toilet or wash" her children.

Lafleur Jones was without a supply for nine days after contractors discovered she needed a new pressure relieving valve.

The mum-of-three lives in Millgate, High Wycombe, having been a Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing tenant for 10 years.

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She first contacted the landlords on Boxing Day when the water stopped running and then tried contacting again but heard no response.

Ms Jones said: "After contacting my housing association on several occasions, the out of hours team stated they were on holiday up until 28/12/22 and would be unable to rectify the issue. 

"I have been unable to cook, clean, flush the toilet or even clean clothes for my three small children. On the 29/12/22 the contractors dropped of four bottles of water for a household of four people. I was expected to wash my children and give them something to drink with four bottles of water?"

But since the Free Press contacted the housing association the problem has now been fixed and a spokesman for Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing, said they "understand how difficult and frustrating this period has been for Ms Jones." 

The housing association previously sent contractors to look at the issue, but Ms Jones says they were unable to carry out a repair and instead, gave four bottles of water.

"I think it is a sad state of affairs when basic needs such as running water isn't accessible and how I, a single mother of three have been left destitute due to having to source in food and no way of cleaning or keeping the home sanitary," she said.

"I also called the out of hours several times and was told they were on holiday and unfortunately no one would be able to do the repair until they were back. I was told I needed a pressure relieving valve. I was left without water for days. I even contacted social services.

"They only came yesterday evening (January 3) and restored the water."

A spokesperson for MTVH said: “We fully restored water to her home yesterday and over the last week colleagues visited Ms Jones regularly to check on her welfare and ensured sufficient water was delivered.

"Although we try to ensure that any disruption to water supply is rectified as quickly as possible, we regret that on this occasion it took longer than anticipated. We will continue to work to improve our service to residents.”