Sir, We were interested to read the report of Thames Water's response to the failure of the water supply to Chinnor in your paper (June 23), compared with our own village's experience when our supply was cut on May 4.

Using Thames Water's own figures, 127 properties were affected, including 2 schools and 12 almshouses. The primary school had to close, and the pre-school playgroup bought up virtually all the bottled water in Benson.

The failure was reported to Thames Water at 9.20 am, when they said it had already been reported. Only one bottle of drinking water was issued, despite offers by a parish councillor to open the village hall as a distribution centre.

Supply was finally restored to all villagers by 0310 on the following day. No bottled water from Thames Water, and no apology! Do Chinnor residents pay a higher water charge to entitle them to a higher standard of emergency response?

Brian Benson, Parish councillor, Ewelme