By ANNA USHER

Properties were damaged after a pipe burst in Cremorne on Monday, leaving thousands without water and causing chaos on local streets.

Sydney Water confirmed a burst main ruptured the footpath and parts of Grasmere Road near Primrose Park about 8.30am, with scores of locals contacting Mosman Collective to report the incident.

Almost 19,200 homes were left with little or no water across Cremorne, Neutral Bay, Mosman and Crows Nest.

Hours later, tap water was still running brown in many homes.

The burst main caused flooding in the area and destroyed a bus stop on Grasmere Rd, with Sydney Water saying several homes were damaged.

Further pipe bursts were reported at Spit Junction, near the Ezy Mart, and on Rangers Rd in Neutral Bay.

Mosman Collective followers took to social media to vent their frustration, after many were unable to shower before work.

“I went to work with my hair tied back – I feel like a stinky mess,” one woman said. “Then Café Mosman couldn’t make my favourite coffee because there was no water.”

“I had to shower at the beach,” another resident said.

Several locals also took aim at the State Government’s new low and mid-rise housing reforms, saying thousands of new apartments planned for the lower north shore will only add pressure to ageing infrastructure.

“Apartments galore everywhere on the horizon equals tremendous stress on ageing infrastructure – it will only worsen,” one resident said.

“Imagine what it’s going to be like with high-rise blocks throughout the lower north shore,” another wrote.

Emergency crews remain on site and the Grasmere Rd bus stop is out of service until further notice.