VILLAGERS near Cheriton say they are “outraged” after they have been without drinking water for nearly two weeks.

Hockley Cottages were originally supplied by neighbouring Holden Farm but were cut off on October 31.

Residents say it has been a “living nightmare”.

Although they can use their toilets and showers, three homes remain without drinking water.

Kennedy Goddard, 56, says he and his wife Lyn were served no official notice and have installed their own borehole in their garden.

It is shared with next door, Kathleen and Michael Beer and Kathleen's 94-year-old mother, May.

Mr Goddard said before the water is deemed safe to drink it must be tested in a laboratory for two weeks.

“I’m at the end of my sanity with it. I would build up a head of steam, but I can’t because I have no water,” Mr Goddard said.

“We are high and dry and the council and police can do nothing. It’s a basic human right.

“Imagine being 94, house bound, and with no water. I think that’s cruel. Imagine if that was your mother.”

Susie Corbett, who runs Holden Farm with husband Charlie, said she has done ‘all she can’ prior to the switch off, which she says has been planned since early this year.

The four homes were once farm cottages but are now privately owned.

“I was told that the cottages’ boreholes were all up and running,” she said.

“Environmental Health checked it and gave me the go ahead. The solicitors gave us the go ahead, the contractors gave us the go ahead, what more can I do? They never rang me up to say it wasn’t going to plan. It’s a very difficult one when you have complied with all the regulations.

“A private water supply does not have to supply other private people. Those private people have been given six months to get their (own) water supply.”

A Winchester City Council spokesperson said it is investigating. They said: “It is clear that there has been a long and complex relationship between the suppliers of the water and users at Hockley Cottages, and it is regrettable that the water supply was terminated before the users had secured an alternative supply.

“Until the completion of its investigations Winchester City Council is not in a position to make an informed decision on whether any formal action is necessary or in the public interest.”