A Morecambe care home owner has blasted those responsible for a theft which left 29 vulnerable elderly people without water during the current shortages.
Rod Taylor said that an emergency supply of bottled water has been stolen from outside Arnside Lodge - one of many businesses and homes without water after United Utilities turned off the supply for 24 hours due to multiple pipe leaks and bursts on the network.
Mr Taylor, who also runs other care homes in Morecambe, said it was "a callous act of selfishness".
Water company United Utilities had delivered the bottles to Arnside Lodge, on Arnside Crescent in Morecambe, on Sunday.
They were making emergency deliveries after the water network was beset with issues caused by a thaw in temperatures following the recent freezing weather.
"We received emergency supplies of bottled water from United Utilities in the early hours of Sunday morning, a full pallet outside Thornton Lodge and another outside Arnside Lodge, placed on the drive on Derwent Avenue, and Springfield Lodge also received a supply," said Mr Taylor (pictured below), who is also the co-chairman of Morecambe Football Club.
"We moved the Thornton Lodge delivery inside for security reasons yesterday as cars were stopping and people helping themselves.
"However, as the pallet at Arnside Lodge was on one of our drives, we thought it reasonable to leave it there until the water was required in the home.
"After receiving the call that the interruption of the supply was imminent, we went outside to bring some of the water in, only to find that the pallet was empty, save for some of the plastic wrapping!
"To whoever is responsible of this theft, at this moment in time you have left 29 elderly, vulnerable individuals without water.
"Our staff have enough to do in delivering the care to these people without this callous act of selfishness.
"I will deal with it and ensure that our clients receive the service they deserve but, whoever your are, hang your head in shame!"
Properties in Morecambe, the West End, White Lund, Bare and Sandylands were affected by the turn-off of water supply for 24 hours, beginning on Monday afternoon.
Homes and businesses elsewhere in North Lancashire were without water too, but a United Utilities spokesperson said this is due to the ongoing issues with bursts and leaks, and not due to an enforced turn-off of the supply.
The water company said they were trying to deal with the problem as quickly as they can.
They say the problem has been caused by the rise in temperatures after the recent bitterly cold spell, causing leaks and bursts in pipes both on the network and at properties in the area.
"As you are aware, the impact of the freeze and now thaw has been affecting your water supply in your area," said a United Utilities spokesperson.
"This has resulted in customers experiencing no water or poor pressure as a result of increased demand for water and multiple bursts and leaks at customer properties and on the water network.
"In order to refill reservoirs which provide water to homes and business in your area, this unfortunately means we will now need to turn off your water supply for the next 24 hours. This is to allow for the water system to refill and meet the demand for the area."
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