EXPLORATORY digging to trace the source of a mains burst which left Chudleigh without water over the weekend has drawn a blank.

Workmen searched fruitlessly overnight for the ruptured pipe under the A38, a quest which involved closing the nearside lane of the Exeter-bound carriageway between Harcombe Cross and the town turn-off.

A South West Water spokeswoman said this afternoon (tues): ‘We tried to locate the burst. Unfortunately, we were unable to pinpoint the exact section of damaged pipe - and further investigation work using CCTV cameras is required.’  

Nearly 200 consumers contacted SWW to register their loss of supplies on Sunday.

Townsfolk rallied round to help those who needed bottled water while SWW provided bowsers to supplement the fractured service.

Overland pipes were used to maintain a reduced supply at the point of the leak.

Besides Chudleigh, affected areas also included Ideford, Luton and Olchard.

Some residents are still experiencing low pressure and discoloured water 48 hours after a fracture of an 8ins trunk mains was reported.

The SWW spokeswoman said: ‘For the moment, we are putting in an additional overland pipe which should help alleviate any fluctuations in water pressure, particularly at times of high demand.’

She added: ‘Given the location of the burst, we will use ‘no dig’ technology to repair the pipe at the earliest opportunity.

‘Any work that requires a lane closure on the A38 will only be carried out between 8pm and 6am. In the meantime our priority is to continue to maintain customers’ supplies.’