Thousands Left High and Dry Across Kent and Sussex as Water Crisis Hits
More than 30,000 homes and schools in Kent and Sussex face water shortages or low pressure after a major incident was declared. Burst pipes and power cuts linked to Storm Goretti and freezing weather have plunged towns like Tunbridge Wells, East Grinstead, Maidstone, Whitstable, and Canterbury into chaos. Experts warn the crisis could drag on until Tuesday morning at the earliest.
Schools Closed, Locals Boil Over as Water Crisis Deepens
Kent County Council leader Linden Kemkaran confirmed key areas remain waterless “yet again.” Some schools have shut their doors, forcing pupils onto online learning. Over 270 students in Maidstone alone have had their education severely disrupted.
“A major incident has now been declared as more homes have been affected within the past 24 hours,” Kemkaran posted on X. “We are putting extra plans in place for further possible disruption.”
Emma Hickling, executive headteacher of four local schools, slammed the “infuriating” lack of clear communication on when water will be restored, adding to parents’ and pupils’ frustration.
Water Company in Hot Water – MPs Demand Leadership Shake-Up
South East Water (SEW) has come under fierce fire from MPs and locals alike. Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield, alongside Helen Grant and Tom Tugendhat, has called for the water company chief’s resignation amid the ongoing fiasco.
“I’ve been liaising all day with South East Water about the outages,” Duffield said. “They’re working round the clock but warn that further outages could hit during peak times today.”
Lib Dem MP Mike Martin branded SEW’s performance “unacceptable” and vowed to “raise hell” over the impact on schools, particularly as critical exams loom.
Water Shortage Update & Where to Get Help
- Full water supply unlikely before Tuesday morning; intermittent supply expected.
- Tunbridge Wells Rugby Football Club’s bottled water station is temporarily closed but set to reopen by 6pm after restocking.
- Bottled water available today (9am-10pm) at:
- East Grinstead Sports Club
- Kings Centre, East Grinstead
- East Court, East Grinstead
- Tunbridge Wells Rugby Football Club
- Headcorn Aerodrome, Ashford
- SEW continues delivering bottled water to customers on Priority Services Registers.
Postcodes affected include CT5 2AB, ME14 4PA, TN3 9BW, TN4 8BG, CT2 8JH, TN12 0BW, ME15 9UD, ME17 1XD, and TN2 3PZ.
Residents Rage as Water Blackout Drags On
Outraged locals in Tunbridge Wells and surrounding areas branded the crisis “unacceptable” and are demanding urgent government action and an emergency response plan.
“Livid” residents call for government intervention as water cuts continue to worsen.
South East Water apologised for the “tough time” customers are enduring, promising swift action to fix leaks and restore the water network.
This is a developing story — stay tuned for the latest updates on the Kent water shortage crisis.
