Up to 500 homes still without water across Kent
Six bottled water stations have opened up across the county
South East Water has issued an apology to customers experiencing water supply interruptions due to the ongoing spring heatwave, which has led to exceptionally high demand across their network.
Steve Benton, South East Water’s Incident Manager, shared an update: “Drinking water supplies have been restored for 15,000 customers across Kent, including those in the Whitstable and Herne Bay areas. Whilst this is positive, today is forecast to be another hot day and demand is therefore likely to remain high.”
The company continues to encourage essential-only water use—restricted to drinking, cooking, and hygiene—as their network recovers from low storage levels.
They are actively working to restore supplies to around 500 customers still without water in Kent, including significant efforts addressing critical levels in drinking water tanks serving Cranbrook, Ulcombe, and Mereworth.
Benton highlighted ongoing support measures, including tankers supplying additional water and extensive efforts to fix a burst water main affecting Ashford residents.
“We’re sincerely sorry to customers for disruption to their water supply and know how frustrating it is, especially in hot weather. While tap water supplies have returned for most customers, some may continue to experience intermittent availability due to high demand", he said.
Currently, areas like Coxheath, Loose, Headcorn, Ulcombe, Kemsing, and Benenden may experience low pressure or intermittent supply, particularly during peak times. South East Water is utilising tankers to support these areas, and has delivered over 230,000 litres of water to the Priority Services Register customers, alongside critical care settings.
“We have tankered over 2,025,700 litres of water into the network and given out almost 900,000 litres of water at bottled water stations across Kent. We are supporting essential services such as Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital in Herne Bay and care units with additional resources.”
Bottled water collection stations are set up for areas facing supply interruptions today, from 9am to 9pm.
Locations for bottled water stations include:
• Challock Village Hall, Blind Lane, Challock, Ashford, TN25 4AU
• Kingsnorth Church of England Primary School, Church Hill, Kingsnorth, TN23 3EF
• Sainsbury’s Altira Business Park, 6 The Boulevard, Herne Bay, CT6 6GZ
• Sainsbury’s Reeves Way, Chestfield, Whitstable, CT5 3QS
• Kavanagh Cinema, William Street, Herne Bay CT6 5NX
• Morrisons, Sutton Road, Maidstone ME15 9NN