Tunbridge Wells Water Crisis Impacts 23,000 Customers
Approximately 23,000 customers in the Kent area are facing significant water supply challenges in Tunbridge Wells. South East Water (SEW) confirmed that the issues stem from problems at the Pembury Water Treatment Works, which halted operations due to a bad chemical batch. The company initially estimated that the situation would be resolved by 06:00 GMT on Monday.
Tunbridge Wells Water Crisis: Key Details
Matthew Dean, head of operations control at SEW, provided an update on the situation, indicating that a new batch of chemicals would be received on Sunday. As a result, the water supply challenges have gradually improved, with around 1,150 properties in Pembury having their supply restored through rezoning efforts.
Customer Impact and Responses
Marc Sims, SEW’s incident manager, acknowledged the hardship experienced by customers, noting the reduction from 24,000 affected individuals earlier in the day. Customers are facing low pressure or complete outages of water.
- Bottled water stations have been established in several locations:
- Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre
- Odeon Cinema, Knights Way
- RCP Parking
These stations are serving customers until 22:30 on Sunday. However, one station in Sovereign Way was closed due to the winter festival in nearby Tonbridge.
To support vulnerable populations, SEW has delivered bottled water to over 2,000 customers, including care homes, and is in touch with Tunbridge Wells Hospital to arrange additional assistance.
Community Concerns
Customer frustration has risen as some local residents expressed dissatisfaction with the water distribution strategy, particularly regarding the location of the nearest bottled water station. One local resident, Nicola Hodgson, highlighted the difficulties faced by families with children amidst the ongoing crisis.
Tunbridge Wells MP Mike Martin announced that he was also personally affected by the water outage. He emphasized the cause of the disruption was a bad batch of coagulant chemicals at the Pembury Treatment Works. Progress has been made towards cleaning the site to restore normal operations.
Economic Effects on Local Businesses
Local businesses, especially within the hospitality sector, have reported challenges due to the water supply disruption. Teresa Barrett, a pub owner, noted that the absence of functioning water made it illegal for her establishment to operate, leading to significant financial losses. She stressed that the current economic climate makes such closures even more damaging.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Customers in the affected areas are encouraged to monitor the South East Water website for updates and to register for the Priority Services Register to receive tailored assistance during this ongoing situation. As the community works through these challenges, the focus remains on restoring a reliable water supply as swiftly as possible.
