Hsin-Yi Lo,South Eastand
Daniel Sexton,South East
Getty ImagesWater misery has returned for about 24,000 households across Kent and East Sussex – the day after a water firm said supplies had been restored for many.
South East Water (SEW) said supplies for about 12,000 properties had been returned on Tuesday after an issue at a treatment works made the taps go dry for about 24,000 households on Saturday.
But the company earlier said it was “so very sorry” as it announced the supply issues had returned to all 24,000 properties due to a “water quality issue”.
SEW said it will try to restore supplies on Wednesday – but there will be a strict warning to not drink water that has not been boiled.
The company’s head of water quality, Dr Neil Hudson, said after recharging their network in Tunbridge Wells, they saw a “recurrence of the water quality issues” which caused the initial shutdown of their water treatment works in Pembury.
“Because of this, we are currently unable to produce drinking water from the Pembury treatment works that meets the strict regulatory standards required for consumption.”
‘Bad chemical patch’
He says the company is introducing a boil water notice to customers in nearby areas.
Dr Hudson urged residents to use water only for flushing toilets or showering, and water “cannot be used for drinking and cooking without boiling first”.
The problem, which began on Saturday, has seen customers in Tunbridge Wells, Pembury, Frant and Eridge experience a loss of water or low pressure.
The company blamed a “bad chemical patch” being the source of the problem.
Dr Hudson said three bottled water stations that will remain open until 22:00 BMT on Wednesday.
The locations of these are:
- Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre, St John’s Rd, Royal Tunbridge Wells TN4 9TX
- RCP Parking, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 5TP
- Odeon Cinema Knights Way, Tunbridge Wells TN2 3UW