Water Disruptions

South East Water has reported a number of issues in Tunbridge Wells initially due to the cold weather.

South East Water customers across several parts of Tunbridge Wells are once again experiencing issues with their water supply.

Water has been intermittently off and on in South Tunbridge Wells and Bidborough due to a series of burst pipes reducing the levels in water storage tanks. Reservoir levels are so low that a continuous stream of water is having to be delivered by tankers each day. Therefore, when bursts or network outages occur, customers are even more vulnerable to long periods without water.

Water supply in South Tunbridge Wells is back on with low pressure, and it will be intermittent during the day as SEW plays catch-up with the supply (currently in a deficit). The burst main in Bidborough has now been fixed, and supply should start to return soon.

You can pick up bottled water from the following locations until 9pm On Thursday:

(1) Tunbridge Wells Rugby Football Club, St. Marks Recreation Ground, Tunbridge Wells TN2 5LS.

(2) Bidborough Village Hall, Bidborough Ridge, Bidborough, Tunbridge Wells TN3 0XD - NOW CLOSED

UPDATE - FRIDAY 9TH

For the Bidborough area - South East Water are reporting that the storage issues at the site that supplies the water has now been resolved and the water should now be flowing as normal. However, if your water looks brown in colour, you should not worry as it is not harmful. This happens when small particles of iron within the mains are disturbed. Simply run from your cold kitchen tap until the water is clear. Your water may also appear cloudy, or white. If you fill a glass of water and it clears from the bottom upwards then this means your water is just a little more aerated than usual.

For other parts of Tunbridge Wells - South East Water are reporting that drinking water has returned to all customers, however, customers will experience no water and intermittent supplies again later in the day, while demand for water outstrips the amount they can pump into the network.

They would like to reassure customers that Pembury Water Treatment Works is currently running at full capacity. However, due to the weather conditions, they have experienced outages at a number of other water treatment works sites as well as river water quality issues across Kent and Sussex. This is slowing down the recovery of the drinking water storage tanks across the supply area.

The bottled water station will be open from 9am until 10pm on Friday 9th at Tunbridge Wells Rugby Football Club, St. Marks Recreation Ground, Tunbridge Wells TN2 5LS

UPDATE - SATURDAY 10TH

South East Water have reported that supplies have been restored, however the supply may be intermittent during the afternoons, while demand for water outstrips the amount they can pump into the network. To completely stabilise the network, they need to gradually increase the amount of water in the storage water tanks. This means customers will experience some interruptions to their water supply until the storage tank has a sufficient surplus of water. South East Water expect the levels to be stable by Tuesday 13 January.

This means: Mornings (supply on): water levels recover overnight, so they expect water to flow normally in the morning although today (Saturday 10th Jan) some on higher ground may find their water returns later this morning due to technical issues

Afternoons/evenings (supply off): as water is used throughout the day, levels drop, and the pumps will automatically switch off. This means the water is likely to go off in the afternoon and stay off during the evening.

UPDATE - MONDAY 12TH

South East Water have reported additional areas are now experiencing water supply issues. This is due to power issues at the site that provides the areas supply which means they are unable to pump the water to many homes . Customers are therefore experiencing no water or low water pressure. SEW apologises for any inconvenience caused and reassure customers that they are working hard to fix the issue as quickly as possible.

Alternative Water:

The bottled water station is open today (Monday 12th) at Tunbridge Wells Rugby Football Club, St. Marks Recreation Ground, Tunbridge Wells TN2 5LS

UPDATE - TUESDAY 13TH

South East Water are so sorry to customers in the Tunbridge wells area who were without water yesterday, Water is returning this morning after the reservoir levels increased overnight however it will be intermittent throughout the day. The situation is ever changing and they will continue to update you as they know more. The bottled water station at St. Marks Recreation Ground, Tunbridge Wells TN2 5LS is open until 10pm tonight.

UPDATE - TUESDAY 13TH

Local MP Mike Martin has issued the following statement on Tuesday afternoon:

This morning, I came back from Westminster to Tunbridge Wells so that I could directly help coordinate the crisis.

These different outages are being caused by different issues, and I am afraid to say that due to water outages in other parts of Kent and East Sussex, South East Water’s already limited leadership capacity is increasingly stretched – this is slowing down their ability to respond to the crisis.

My priority is making sure schools are able to stay open as much as possible, as students should be taking their A-Level and GCSE mock examinations right now. I’ve been working with local headteachers and SE Water to get bottled water, as well as grey water for lavatory flushing, to local schools.

The schools’ situation today has improved from yesterday – but there are still three schools closed (due to SE Water failing to make the deliveries they promised to). I’m continuing to raise this with the Government’s Water Minister and DEFRA throughout the day.

I’ve also pushed the Minister to sort out communication issues between UK Power Networks and South East Water and, if that fails, to look at getting power generators to water pumping stations to ensure uninterrupted supply.

I’m also coordinating with SE Water to ensure our only bottled water distribution point at Tunbridge Wells Rugby Club on Frant Road remains fully stocked and operational. I’ve been down to the site today to keep an eye on supply numbers and communicate them to SE Water.

I will continue to communicate with you all – but I am afraid to say that (whatever SE Water says) I expect we will still be having difficulties until the weekend. I’m continuing to work with the Government and local authorities to mitigate the impacts on residents, students, and local businesses.

You can still collect bottled water from the Rugby Club until 10:00 pm this evening.

I raised South East Water’s woeful handling of this current crisis in Parliament yesterday.  The issue is again leading the national media, and this will help focus the Government’s attention on what they can do to help us.

The Environment Select Committee has also recalled Dave Hinton, CEO of South East Water, to Parliament to give further evidence, after he was accused of misleading Parliament last week.

UPDATE - WEDNESDAY 14TH

South East Water are reporting that the majority of customers should now have water, however those on higher ground may have intermittent supply at peak times when more water is being used, They are sorry if you are being affected but please be assured that they are working as quickly as they can to stabilise the network. There are now 2 bottled water stations which are open until 10pm on Wednesday at St. Marks Recreation Ground, Tunbridge Wells TN2 5LS or the Car Park at Odeon Cinema, Knights Way, Tunbridge Wells TN2 3UW.

Customers in impacted areas who are on the Priority Services Register are having bottled water delivered to them by the Customer Care Team.

For further information you can visit: https://www.southeastwater.co.uk/help/works-and-outages/