Port Glasgow residents left without water due to weather

Apartment owners at the historic building in Port Glasgow say they have been left to fill up buckets and basins themselves after someone discovered a tap in the car park by chance.

They told the Telegraph that factors James Gibb Residential only provided them with temporary outdoor toilets and shower facilities SIX DAYS after the water supply system was put out of commission.

Householders at the Gourock Ropeworks — who say they have endured a 'nightmare' — were still without running water yesterday.

Liz Miller, 68, told how she had to rely on her neighbours to help her get water up to her flat.

She said: “The length of time we’ve been left like this has been ridiculous.

“It’s just been phone call after phone call trying to get something sorted, the council weren’t able to help us in any way.

“It’s amazing how many times you go to the tap for water, it’s been difficult not having that.

“Until the tap at the car park was discovered I was using bottled water, nobody supplied us really with anything.

“I’ve relied on good neighbours, that’s what’s got us through.

“I just hope it can be fixed."

Ms Miller added: "The response time from the factors was very poor.

“It wasn’t acted on quickly enough. I reported it last Saturday morning and there was still nothing done later in the day.

“Fortunately, someone discovered there was a tap in the car park for people washing their cars and people started filling buckets from that.”

It took hours on Sunday morning for firefighters to pump floodwater out of the building’s basement.

Ms Miller said that despite the water now being removed, there were concerns among some residents that the room could flood again if the area is hit by more severe weather.

She added: “Some of the residents have said we need to look at taking steps to look at stopping this from happening again, maybe there could be something built around the water pump so it can’t be penetrated by the water.

“There were some little bottles delivered downstairs but I think there were just 24.

“I’ve just put in orders for big bottles, my partner’s health is poor so hygiene is really important.

“We have to make sure everything is clean for him.

“You try to get on with it but I think things should have happened quicker.

“I just hope it can be fixed.”

Another Gourock Ropeworks resident, who asked not to be named, said they had been forced to haul large quantities of water up to their home so they could wash their clothes, bathe and flush the toilet.

They said: “It’s been a nightmare, and it took the factors until Thursday to bring in a portable shower and portable toilets. I feel like they probably should have done that right away.

“The response has been quite poor, I mean it took them almost a whole week to get toilets out there.

“I wouldn’t have thought that would have been a difficult one for them.

“We’ve been left to fend for ourselves for a whole week basically.

“There are kids in there and elderly people and they’ll struggle with this.

“I don’t understand why it’s taking so long to fix it.

“I’d be concerned about the possibility of this happening again, I’ve got no idea if they’re going to address whatever caused the flooding in the future.

“Without water you can’t wash your clothes, you end up eating take away constantly because you can’t cook and you have to buy in water for yourself too.

“A week is a very long time without running water.”

In response to the apartment owners' concerns, a James Gibb spokesperson said: “Major flooding is an extremely challenging thing to deal with.

"In this instance, the extensive flooding left electrical issues and a pump that was beyond repair.

"We’ve been working hard to ensure issues are resolved as soon as possible. 

“We sympathise with homeowners for the challenging impact that this is having on their daily lives.

"Alternative accommodation has been offered by the insurers and a number of homeowners have taken up this option – we hope this alleviates some of their difficulties.”