Southern Water 'sorry' as thousands of homes across Hampshire remain without water
Water supplies for thousands of Southern Water customers in parts of Hampshire will be restricted for at least 48 hours.
The company says the demand for water is currently outstripping its ability to treat it.
Areas affected include Southampton, Eastleigh, Hedge End - and Chandlers Ford.
Southern Water said: "We're sorry that our customers in SO15 - Southampton; SO16 - Bassett, Nursling, Millbrook, Chilworth, Chilworth Village Lord's Hill; SO19 - Bitterne; SO21 - Compton, Compton Down, Hursley, Otterbourne, Shawford, Twyford; SO22 - Badger Farm; SO31 - Bursledon; SO50 - Eastleigh; SO51 - Ampfield, Braishfield; SO52 - North Baddesley; and SO53 Chandlers Ford are without water.
"We are expecting more customers in the wider Yew Hill area - SO15, SO16, SO18, SO19, SO21, SO22, SO30, SO31, SO50, SO51, SO52, SO53 to lose either water pressure or supply in the coming few hours."
The company explained leaks after freeze/thaw meant there was "significant pressure" on the network so supplies were turned off to help recovery.
Southern Water said in a statement: "Throughout the day, our teams have worked hard to minimise the impact of restricting water to our customers.
"The significant pressure on our network means that demand continues to outstrip supply.
"We have had to make some difficult decisions to ensure that we protect critical infrastructure across Hampshire such as local hospitals."
The firm said bottled water stations had been opened in Hampshire at the east and south park and rides in Winchester and Places Leisure in Eastleigh.
The statement added: "More bottled water stations will be opening tomorrow and we'll confirm locations and times on our social media channels and on our website.
"We are very sorry for the disruption and inconvenience this is causing, particularly in the days before Christmas. We are working as hard as we can resume services by Sunday."
Caroline Nokes, MP for Romsey and Southampton North, tweeted on Wednesday: "I've asked Southern Water to set up a bottled water station in Southampton - not acceptable that the closest one is the park and ride at Winchester.
"Appreciate the network is under extreme pressure, but residents reliant on public transport cannot get to Winchester tonight."
Businesses in the area are also struggling. The Chilworth Arms had to close early last night.
In a post on Facebook, the company said: "We are constantly looking for updates on the situation to find out when we will be able to reopen and will endeavour to let you all know as soon as we find out more information.
"We apologise to all our guests for any inconvenience this will undoubtedly cause."