A Swindon resident was devastated to find out that her outside tap had been left running for days unbeknownst to her, leaving her to lose water in excess.
Clare Byrne, 66, moved to Swindon 34 years ago and currently resides in her Kingsdown house on Birdbrook Road alone.
The Swindonian was going about her normal daily routine this week when she noticed a drop in the water pressure when washing her hands.
She thought nothing of it until two days later she discovered that the outside garden tap was running freely despite her not using it for many months.
“I could hear the water going but I had no taps on,” she said.
“Someone had turned the garden tap fully on and it must have been like that for days.”
Clare was unhappy to find out that the tap had been left running for so long and wasting water. (Image: Newsquest)
This revelation was all the more surprising to Clare as she had not been near the tap in question for quite some time.
“During the summer I did not use the tap anyway and we’ve all been told to be more careful about conserving water so this is exasperating,” she said.
“I am really annoyed. Why someone would feel the need to do that, I don’t know.”
Clare has tried to set up preventative measures in response to try and ensure that this unwanted occurrence does not happen again.
“I’ve had a look and can’t find a way to turn it off inside to stop it happening again,” she said.
“I will have to get a lock to secure it but it’s a shame that I have to do that.”
This outdoor tap on the side of the house was turned on unbeknownst to Clare. (Image: Newsquest)
This is not the first time that Clare’s property has been targeted by intruders and thieves as on two previous occasions she has had things taken from her garden.
“I had a ladder stolen in 2016 after I had been at the property for 27 years,” she said.
“Before that I had also had a lawnmower stolen straight out of my garden.”
Despite the worrying occurrences of intrusion, Clare remained strong on her safety but was quick to remind of the physical effect of this week’s occurrence.
“I generally feel safe here as its just three incidents in three decades but I am on a water meter so the cost will be quite a lot,” she said.
“Whether it was someone thinking it was funny or they were being malicious, it doesn’t matter as either way I will still have to pay the cost.”
