Water shortages in Tunbridge Wells continue to affect schools and businesses, with disruptions expected to last for at least one more day. This follows an issue at the local water treatment plant, South East Water, which has been reported to have reoccurring problems.
The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) has announced that it will conduct an investigation into the situation. Since the weekend, thousands of households in the Kent town have been without water after the company mistakenly added the incorrect chemicals to the supply. Approximately 18,000 homes have been impacted, leading to school closures and residents resorting to collecting rainwater.
The contamination stemmed from a faulty batch of coagulant chemicals at the Pembury treatment site, necessitating its closure for cleaning. Although the site has resumed operations, the company has warned that not all supplies will be restored as quickly as hoped, following a recurrence of the water quality issues on Tuesday.
In response to the crisis, bottled water stations have been set up around Tunbridge Wells, although some elderly residents have faced challenges accessing these resources, relying on neighbors for assistance. Local MP Mike Martin has called for the resignation of South East Water’s CEO, citing significant disruptions and failures in communication.
The company has apologized for the situation, promising to resolve the issues as soon as possible and indicating that water supplies might be temporarily discolored as they are restored. A DWI spokesperson noted their awareness of the ongoing incident and emphasized the need for measures to prevent future occurrences.
Residents have expressed frustration over the situation, with reports of altercations at local supermarkets over water supplies. The government has labeled the disruption as unacceptable, underscoring their collaboration with South East Water to rectify the matter.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/dec/02/homes-in-tunbridge-wells-without-water-for-days-after-wrong-chemicals-added