Around 17,000 properties remain without drinking water
Some properties still have no water or intermittent supplies(Image: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)
An investigation has been launched into South East Water after thousands of households, businesses and schools have been left without water for days across Kent and Sussex. Around 30,000 properties in Tunbridge Wells, East Grinstead, Maidstone, Whitstable, Canterbury and nearby towns have been – and some still are – affected by either no water or intermittent supplies.
The investigation has been launched by the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI). It will look into “the circumstances leading up to the loss of supply, the actions taken by the company during the event, and its communications with consumers”.
A DWI spokesperson said: “The Inspectorate will take appropriate enforcement action, within its statutory powers, where required, to protect public health and to plan and prepare for loss of supply incidents. Consumers should follow the advice provided by South East Water (SEW) if they are within the affected areas and should contact SEW in the first instance if they require further information or wish to raise concerns.”
SEW has blamed the incident on “the recent cold weather and a subsequent breakout of leaks”. Around 17,000 properties remain without drinking water for a fifth day, SEW confirmed today (January 14).
When asked about the investigation, a SEW spokesperson said: “We will always co-operate fully with any investigations undertaken by our regulators.” Kent County Council (KCC) said the vast majority of schools are open today, although some may close early if they run out of water.
SEW’s incident manager Matthew Dean said: “Once again, we are very sorry to all our customers who have been affected. We know and understand how difficult going without water for such a long period of time is and how difficult it makes everyday life.”
In a similar incident last month, 24,000 properties in and around Tunbridge Wells were left without drinkable water for almost two weeks. SEW chief executive David Hinton was grilled by MPs for his company’s handling of that crisis last week.
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