Conwy residents are overwhelmed with plastic bottles after a major water burst
Local shops ran out of bottled water fast. The burst happened at Bryn Cowlyd Water Treatment Works, leaving around 50,000 homes dry. People scrambled for water, and even stores across the border ran out.
Dŵr Cymru set up four bottled water stations, and the lines were long. They asked folks to take only what they needed. They even delivered water to those who needed it most.
Once repairs were done, the stations stayed open until the water supply was back to normal. Bottles were still being handed out days later because the water was discolored at first. Dŵr Cymru had to source bottles from as far as Scotland.
The exact number of bottles distributed is a mystery, but it’s enough to give Conwy Council a headache. They started advising residents on how to deal with their mountain of plastic bottles.
Social media lit up with complaints about trips to recycling centers. Some wondered if they could just toss empty bottles into their home recycling boxes over time.
Conwy Council suggested squashing the bottles and putting the lids back on to save space. They also said to use see-through bags for extra bottles. Residents can even book free appointments at recycling centers.
Some people are getting creative with their bottles. Gardeners are using them as mini greenhouses for seedlings. Others are thinking about building greenhouses out of them. But some worry they might need those bottles again soon.
“Fill them with water and store them in case it happens again,” one resident suggested online.
