Water crisis in Tunbridge Wells affects 23,000 residents
An unexpected treatment works malfunction has left 23,000 residents in Tunbridge Wells without water, with the issue expected to persist throughout the night. South East Water (SEW) has confirmed the situation, apologizing for the inconvenience caused.
The issue arose due to a faulty batch of coagulant chemicals at the Pembury Water Treatment Works. SEW's head of operations control, Matthew Dean, explained that the plant had stopped functioning, leading to low water pressure or no water supply for customers. A new batch of chemicals was received on Sunday, and the team has been working tirelessly to resolve the issue.
As of the latest update, approximately 23,000 customers are still affected, down from 24,000 earlier in the day. SEW's incident manager, Marc Sims, assured residents that the company is actively moving water around and conducting necessary water quality tests to restore the supply as soon as possible.
To alleviate the crisis, SEW has set up three bottled water stations in Tunbridge Wells: Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre, Odeon Cinema Knights Way, and RCP Parking. These stations will remain open until 10:30 PM on Sunday. However, the Sovereign Way station is temporarily closed due to the winter festival in Tonbridge.
SEW's customer care team and Water Direct have been delivering bottled water to vulnerable customers, including care homes and Tunbridge Wells Hospital. The company is also in direct contact with the hospital to ensure their water needs are met during this challenging time.
Despite the efforts, some residents have expressed frustration. Nicola Hodgson, a local resident, questioned the placement of the first water station in Tonbridge, a different town. Her husband attempted to visit the Tonbridge station but found it empty, causing inconvenience for their young children.
Tunbridge Wells MP Mike Martin also faced water shortages and spoke with SEW's chief executive. He informed his followers on X that the problem was caused by a faulty batch of coagulant chemicals and that the team has been working overnight to clean the Pembury Treatment Works.
The impact of this crisis extends beyond individual residents. Teresa Barrett, the landlady of the Black Horse pub in Camden Road, mentioned that the pub has been without running water since midnight on Saturday, making it illegal to operate. She emphasized the financial strain on the hospitality sector, as businesses have lost table bookings and staff wages.
Peter Vincent, a resident of Grove Hill, noticed the cistern not refilling properly on Sunday morning. He expressed concern about the potential impact on the town's water supply when everyone starts drawing water.
SEW encourages customers to sign up for the Priority Services Register on its website to stay informed and receive updates. The company is committed to resolving the issue and ensuring the well-being of its customers during this challenging period.
