UPDATE: A severe water supply crisis continues in Tunbridge Wells, impacting 6,500 customers as taps remain dry more than a week after issues first arose. South East Water (SEW) confirmed that water supplies will not be restored until Friday morning at the earliest, forcing residents to find creative solutions for basic needs.
The crisis began on January 6, 2025, when water supply became intermittent. By yesterday, the situation escalated, leaving families struggling to manage everyday tasks. Local resident Mark Pattison, a father of two, has resorted to building his own water collection system to ensure his family can flush toilets and maintain hygiene.
“I created my own little water butt in the garden,” Pattison stated, adding he collected 80 litres of rainwater. “It’s just one less thing to worry about—will we have water to flush the toilet?”
The ongoing turmoil has left many families in dire straits. Sarah Moore, a mother of four from nearby Loose, described her family’s drastic measures, including using carrier bags in toilets. “It would be nice to just know what’s happening,” she expressed. “It’s been really tricky.”
SEW has apologized for the disruption, claiming they are deploying 26 tankers to pump water directly into the network and repair leaks. However, the firm warned that the supply issues stem from the local drinking water storage tank dropping below critical levels due to a combination of severe weather and increased demand.
SEW Incident Manager Matthew Dean reported that while supplies have been restored to 16,000 properties across Kent and Sussex, those in Tunbridge Wells remain significantly affected. “We know and understand how difficult going without water for such a long period of time is,” Dean said.
As families wait for the situation to improve, they are urged to visit bottled water stations set up at various locations, including Tunbridge Wells Rugby Football Club and Mote Park Leisure Centre.
The situation in Kent and Sussex has been compounded by weather conditions, with freezing and thawing leading to burst pipes. SEW is working tirelessly to restore full service, but it will take time. The company has indicated that the booster pumps must remain off for 36 hours to allow the storage tank to refill.
Residents are advised to stay updated through SEW’s communications as the situation develops. As families navigate the challenges of daily life without reliable water, the emotional toll is palpable. The community’s resilience is being tested, and the urgency for a resolution grows with each passing hour.
Stay tuned for further updates as SEW works to resolve this critical situation in Tunbridge Wells.
