Water supplies have finally been restored to the majority of households across Kent and Sussex, bringing an end to a six-day disruption that left thousands of residents in crisis.
Storm Goretti Triggers Widespread Disruption
The problems began last Saturday when Storm Goretti caused significant damage across the region. South East Water (SEW) reported that the severe weather led to multiple burst pipes and power cuts, crippling its network. At the peak of the incident, the company confirmed that up to 30,000 customers were affected, experiencing either a complete loss of supply or very low water pressure.
Scenes of frustration unfolded as residents were forced to queue in their cars at bottled water distribution centres, including one in Tunbridge Wells, to collect essential supplies. The disruption has been compounded for some by the continuation of hosepipe bans and ongoing flood warnings in the area.
Company Apologises Amid Regulatory Scrutiny
This latest outage follows a similar crisis just last month, where 24,000 people in Tunbridge Wells were left without drinking water for a fortnight. The beleaguered water firm has faced intense criticism from local MPs and the public for its repeated failures.
On Friday, SEW's incident manager, Mathew Dean, announced that continuous supplies had been restored to the 6,500 affected properties in the Tunbridge Wells area. He explained that a recovery plan, which involved keeping local booster pumps off for 36 hours to allow storage tanks to refill, had been successful. "We are very sorry to every single one of our customers who have been affected," Dean stated. "We know and understand how difficult going without water for such a long period of time is."
However, the company's actions are now under formal investigation. The water regulator, Ofwat, announced on Thursday that it is probing whether SEW breached its licence conditions by failing to meet customer service standards and provide adequate support during the supply interruptions.
Potential Consequences and Ongoing Issues
The stakes are high for South East Water. If Ofwat finds the company in breach of its licence, potential penalties include a fine of up to 10% of the firm's annual turnover. In the most severe scenario, the regulator could revoke SEW's licence, forcing it into special administration until a new buyer is found.
Despite the wider restoration, problems persist. Approximately 320 properties in Bidborough are still suffering from low water pressure, with tankers being deployed to assist residents. SEW has confirmed that bottled water sites in Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone, and Bidborough will remain open on Friday to support those still in need.
The incident has cast a harsh spotlight on the resilience of the region's water infrastructure and the performance of its supplier, with many customers demanding accountability for the prolonged hardship.
