Residents of Tunbridge Wells in Kent are enduring a sixth consecutive day without a reliable, safe water supply, with families still being warned they must boil tap water before drinking it.
A Week of Disruption and Confusion
The crisis began on the evening of Saturday, November 29, after what South East Water (SEW) described as a 'bad batch' of chemicals entered the system at the Pembury water treatment works. This fault in the disinfection process has left an estimated 24,000 homes with either no water or very low pressure for much of the week.
While the company now states the water is 'chemically safe', it insists it 'must be boiled' before any consumption. This includes drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, and washing dishes. SEW has apologised and said it is pumping water into the network suitable for showering and flushing toilets, but not for direct consumption.
Public Anger and a Mounting Health Crisis
The situation has sparked fury and distress among locals, with many taking to social media to describe the ordeal. TikTok user gremlingal94 said she had not showered, washed clothes, or flushed a toilet for five days, labelling the situation a 'public health crisis'.
Resident Hinson Karson shared a picture of alarmingly cloudy, milky-looking tap water on Facebook, advising extreme caution. Another, Freya Harvey, expressed disbelief, stating: "Our water has e-coli in it. That is ridiculous." She highlighted the anxiety of letting children shower in water deemed unsafe to drink.
The frustration is compounded by what residents say is poor communication and broken promises from SEW. Aidan Lucas, a father-of-two, mimicked the company's shifting deadlines: "It'll be back on, no it won't, it'll be back on - no it won't." Alison Colvill, on SEW's vulnerable customer list, criticised the lack of a contingency plan as a 'disgrace', especially following recent bill increases.
Calls for Resignation and Military Aid
The political response has been swift. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has called for 'the army' to be sent in to assist the beleaguered town. Local MP Mike Martin has gone further, demanding the resignation of South East Water's chief executive, Dave Hinton.
The impact on daily life is severe. Portable toilets have appeared in the town centre, and many restaurants and shops have been forced to close. At the Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre, where bottled water is being distributed, drivers queue in frustration, with one man on a moped stating he no longer believes any of the water company's promises.
As the crisis drags on, the community's patience is wearing thin. John Sturgis summed up the feeling on X, referencing his 88-year-old mother: "She's not in Kiev or Darfur - but Tunbridge Wells. The infrastructure in this country is a f****** disaster."
