Students 'freaking out' after 'suspicious' contamination of water supply at city flats

Satish, Kaviyarasan, Apukantu, Rishi, Krishna, Sowmya, Chandan and Santosh - students living at Borden Court accommodation in Liverpool
-Credit: (Image: Liverpool Echo)


Residents at a city centre accommodation block were without water after the "suspicious" contamination of the supply to the building where they live. Krishna Kotawar, who lives at Borden Court on London Road, claims that, due to disrupted water supply in the building, students could not cook meals or use the bathroom in the building.

The building's management company said they were taking the matter "extremely seriously", and said police had been informed about what they claimed was suspected "suspicious" contamination. The 24-year-old international student from India, who has just completed a masters degree in finance and technology at the University of Liverpool said the issue is “severely impacting residents' quality of life and well-being”.

He told the ECHO: “On November 6, the water supply was first disrupted due to contamination issues. Although it was briefly restored, the problem has recurred, and as of now, we have been without water for two full days, with no resolution in sight.

"We can’t cook, we can’t use the toilet, we can’t have a bath. They arranged a bathroom for us in (part of) John Moores University, which is 20 minutes away from this place. We have to walk 20 minutes to use the toilet. Basic hygiene needs are not met, leading to significant stress and inconvenience.

READ MORE: I keep returning to this Walton Vale takeaway because of one condiment

READ MORE: I found my mum murdered in the living room and still don't know what happened

“When we asked for hotel accommodation, the insurance came round to inspect and told us they will let us know. I’m freaking out. This prolonged disruption has taken a serious toll on my mental health. My friend has gone to stay in a hotel now because she can’t live in this property. She’s paying for it out of her own money."

Borden Court is managed by Inspired Property Management (IPM). A spokesperson for IPM said: “As soon as we were made aware of a potential contamination of the water supply at Borden Court, we immediately arranged for a contractor to attend site and resolve the issue, allowing for the water supply to be switched back on the same day.

Krishna Kotawar, a student living at Borden Court accommodation in Liverpool
Krishna Kotawar, a student living at Borden Court accommodation in Liverpool -Credit:Liverpool Echo

“We were informed earlier this week that there had been a further incident resulting in the contamination of the water tank, meaning that once again the water had to be switched off and bottled water supplied to all residents. Given the suspicious nature of the contamination, the police have been informed and we understand that they are investigating the matter

“We are investigating installing temporary toilet facilities and are also arranging for the student residents at Borden Court to be moved to temporary accommodation if required, at no cost to them, whilst a deep clean of the water tank takes place. As soon as the deep clean is completed and the contamination has been analysed, residents can return to the building. We take any incidents such as this extremely seriously and regret the disruption it has caused to residents.”