Kent County Council declares major incident as 30,000 homes in Tunbridge Wells and surrounding areas face water shortages due to burst mains and storm damage
Water Shortages Affect 30,000 Homes in Sussex and Kent
About 30,000 homes in Sussex and Kent are facing water shortages. This situation has led Kent County Council to declare a “major incident.”
Postcodes Affected by Water Shortages
Ten postcodes, including Tunbridge Wells, Canterbury, and Maidstone, are still experiencing issues. These alerts were issued by South East Water after a weekend of disruption.
Causes of Water Pressure Problems
South East Water stated that several factors are causing the water pressure issues. These include Storm Goretti, burst water mains, and a power cut at its pumping plant.
Storm Goretti has affected the company’s ability to treat water at the normal rate. This, along with burst water mains due to freezing conditions, has led to low drinking water levels.
Bottled Water Collection Points
Collection points for bottled water have been set up. While South East Water is working to maintain supplies, some customers may not have their water supply restored until Tuesday.
Bottled Water Stations Closing
Bottled water stations will close today at 10 PM at the following locations:
| Location | Postcode |
|---|---|
| Tunbridge Wells Rugby Football Club | TN2 5LS |
| Headcorn Aerodrome | TN27 9HX |
| East Grinstead Sports Club | RH19 4JU |
| Queensway Car Park | RH19 1BG |
Impact on Schools and Hospitals
The water supply issues have affected several schools and public libraries in Kent and Sussex. Libraries in East Grinstead have also closed for the day.
The Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead has had to conduct some appointments virtually. Water tankers are delivering extra supplies to ensure essential services continue at the hospital.
South East Water’s Statement
South East Water stated, “Our drinking water storage tanks across the counties are running low following an outbreak of leaks and burst water mains after the recent cold weather.”
They added that around 30,000 properties may be experiencing no water, intermittent supply, or low pressure. This includes 16,500 properties in East Grinstead, with others in Tunbridge Wells, Headcorn, and Maidstone.
South East Water expressed regret for the disruption and stated, “We’re doing all we can to try and balance our network and restore supplies to as many customers as possible.”
Previous Water Issues
This situation follows an incident in December when 24,000 customers in Tunbridge Wells, Pembury, Frant, and Eridge experienced a loss of water or low pressure due to “water quality issues.”
