Stroud Valleys Artspace (SVA), a vibrant art studio and events venue in John Street, Stroud, Gloucestershire, suffered significant flooding after a water pipe burst, causing extensive damage to the building and its equipment.
Artistic Director Jo Leahy reported a worrying increase in water pressure to Severn Trent Water last week following leaks in two pressure valves within the gallery, studio, and events areas. To alleviate the pressure, staff had to nearly turn off the main stopcock. Despite attempts to manage the issue by cycling the stopcock on and off, the problem persisted without resolution.
On February 16, Ms. Leahy received urgent calls from multiple building users informing her of severe flooding caused by a burst pipe resulting from the excessive water pressure. Upon arriving at the premises, she found the damage to be extensive, affecting both the infrastructure and the equipment used daily by over 30 tenants.
READ MORE: UK’s Largest Wildlife Bridge to Open in Gloucestershire as Part of £460 Million Missing Link Project
READ MORE: Beloved Mum, 46, Among This Week’s Gloucestershire Funeral Notices
“We reported a significant spike in water pressure on February 10 after noticing leaks in two pressure valves,” Ms. Leahy explained. “Despite taking measures advised by Severn Trent, including turning the stopcock multiple times, the pressure issue was unresolved, leading to the pipe burst. Unfortunately, my calls for urgent assistance went unanswered.”
SVA operates continuously, hosting a café, bar, gallery, and events space that welcomes over 800 visitors weekly. The flooding has forced the closure of these facilities, impacting a vibrant community hub.
Ms. Leahy emphasized the urgent need for a solution to stabilize the water pressure to prevent further damage. “We cannot fully reopen or operate safely until this pressure issue is addressed,” she said.
In response, a Severn Trent spokesperson expressed sympathy over the flooding but stated that water pressure readings in the area remain stable. Their investigations found no recent changes or issues within their network that could have caused an internal pipe burst at the venue. They advised SVA to engage a plumber and contact their insurance provider for further assistance.
“Whilst we’re sorry to hear of the disruption caused by the burst pipe, our teams confirm that water pressure levels are as expected and stable,” the spokesperson said. “We recommend that the customer seek plumbing support alongside their insurance providers.”
Stroud Valleys Artspace now faces the challenge of repairing the damage and restoring services for their community while awaiting a clear resolution to the water pressure problem.