Thousands of residents in Kent are facing water supply issues following a heatwave that brought record-breaking temperatures for May. South East Water has urged customers to use water for essential purposes only, as demand has surged dramatically.
Record Demand Strains Water Network
Matthew Dean, head of operations control at South East Water, reported that on Tuesday the company pumped 660 million litres of water across the region, exceeding the daily average by more than 100 million litres. The unprecedented demand has led to intermittent supply for approximately 18,000 customers in Kent.
"We are doing everything we can to get water into our reservoirs, but some customers will continue to have intermittent water supply until reservoir levels have been restored," Dean said. He advised customers with supply to store water for essential uses such as drinking, washing, and cooking.
Bottled Water Stations Established
To alleviate the situation, bottled water stations have been set up across the affected areas. Details of their locations are available on the South East Water website. The company continues to monitor the situation closely as the heatwave persists.
The Met Office has also issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms and heavy rain, which could provide some relief but also poses risks of localised flooding.
