What’s Happening in Tunbridge Wells
South East Water (SEW) confirmed that burst water mains and damage from Storm Goretti have severely disrupted the town’s water network.
Although supplies have returned to most customers, intermittent supply and total loss of water are still being experienced, and the company has cautioned that full stability is unlikely before Tuesday, January 13.
The storm affected multiple treatment works and infrastructure across Kent and Sussex, slowing recovery work and complicating repairs.
The company has restarted some booster pumps and is transferring water around the system to bolster storage levels, but demand still outstrips what can be pumped into the network in parts of the town.
Impact on Local Community
The disruption is causing continuing hardship for residents and local businesses:
Households and firms have reported no water or only intermittent supplies, affecting daily life and operations.
Although a large-scale boil-water notice earlier in December 2025 was lifted after tens of thousands of properties were deemed safe to drink from again, the shadow of previous water quality issues remains.
Schools, hospitality venues and health services were forced to adapt during the earlier outage — some closures were necessary due to lack of safe running water.
Background: A Troubled Water Network
This latest incident follows a major crisis in late 2025, when around 24,000 homes in Tunbridge Wells and surrounding areas lost access to running water for up to two weeks after the Pembury Water Treatment Works was shut down due to contamination concerns.
A boil-water notice was imposed at that time because restored supplies were initially not safe to drink.
That earlier failure sparked intense criticism of SEW over infrastructure investment, maintenance practices and crisis handling.
Regulators and MPs have since been pressing the company for explanations, and a review by the Drinking Water Inspectorate highlighted longstanding risks at the treatment works.
SEW’s Response and What Residents Should Know
South East Water says repair teams are working “around the clock” to fix leaks and restore service.
Customers on the company’s Priority Services Register continue to receive bottled-water deliveries, and emergency water stations have been reopened in affected neighbourhoods.
The company apologised for the ongoing disruption and emphasised efforts to balance the network while ensuring safety, but acknowledged that short-term interruptions are likely as recovery continues into next week.
Looking Ahead
Local MPs, campaigners and regulators are pushing for clearer accountability and long-term investment in water infrastructure to prevent recurring failures.
With the winter weather still impacting the system, residents have been urged to prepare for service variability and stay informed through official SEW updates.
If you live in the area and are experiencing issues, checking SEW’s live updates, registering for text alerts and knowing local bottled water station locations can help manage the disruption.
