Water Treatment Plant Failure

Sunday, 19 July 2026 16:21

Parts of Tunbridge Wells and Pembury once again have no water following problems at a water treatment plant.

South East Water have reported that an instrument failure at their water treatment works in the Tunbridge Wells area had caused the site to shut down for a short period yesterday morning (Saturday, 18 July). This would not normally impact customers, however, coupled with the extremely high demand for water during the extended heatwave, the drinking water storage levels had fallen to very low levels. The site is back up and running and has run without interruption throughout the night. The levels in the drinking water storage tanks are improving, however they want to ensure that once supplies return to customers, this will be a stable, continuous flow. To do this, they need to allow the storage tanks to replenish to a higher level than they currently are, they are still on target to see water supplies return on Sunday evening at the earliest.

South East Water are carrying out deliveries of bottled water to customers on their Priority Services Register and they have opened 3 bottled water station at Tesco Superstore, Pembury Road, Tunbridge Wells TN2 4NE Tunbridge Wells Rugby Football Club, St. Marks Recreation Ground, Tunbridge Wells TN2 5LS and Odeon Cinema Car Park, Knights Way, Tunbridge Wells TN2 3UW They will remain open until 8pm Sunday 19th.

In a statement South East Water stated they are genuinely sorry to customers experiencing low pressure, intermittent supply, or no water. This is not the service we aim to provide or that you deserve.

For further updates visit https://aqualerter.southeastwater.co.uk/interruption/154506