Updated 1.45 p.m.

An area of Hamrun, near Samra Church, has been without water since early yesterday, and rooftop tank reserves are running low, residents said.

"We cannot wash our dishes or even flush the toilet. Most of us are trying to call 80076400 (the WSC customer care) but it has been busy since yesterday and no one has given us an answer on what the problem is and when it is going to be fixed," a resident told timesofmalta.com.

WSC EXPLAINS

In an explanation this afternoon, the Water Services Corporation said:

"Yesterday morning a trunk main in front of the Enemalta power station serving the Tar-Rabbat areas of Hamrun and Sta. Venera, as well as the Abbattoir and Immigrants Open Centre at Marsa failed. Repairs took quite long due to the density of electricity cables crossing the area and a platform of concrete surrounding the burst pipe. After repairs were carried out the supply was restored at around 6 p.m. yesterday.

"However, at around 4.30 this morning the main failed again a couple of meters away from the first failure. Repairs were immediately carried out and by 10.30  the areas in question started having their supplies restored. By later this evening all areas should be back to normal as water pressure can only be increased gradually to avoid further problems."

The corporation said it provided emergency supplies by water tanker to the areas/consumers worst affected.