MP Alleges South East Water Misled Residents Amid Continuing Outage Crisis
Residents of Tunbridge Wells are grappling with an ongoing water outage, affecting around 24,000 households. South East Water has come under fire from local MP Mike Martin, who claims the company has misled the community throughout the crisis.
Ongoing Water Crisis
On Saturday, the Pembury Water Treatment Works ceased operations due to contamination from a ‘bad chemical batch.’ This led to water supplies being cut off as a precautionary measure. As a result, residents began to experience low water pressure or complete outages.
Frustration Over Poor Communication
Mike Martin expressed his frustration, describing the company’s communication as a “total shambles.” He stated that residents received misleading information regarding the timeline for resolution, which changed multiple times.
- Initial expectations set for a 6 AM resolution on Monday proved untrue.
- Approximately 22,500 customers continue to be affected by the water outage.
Efforts to Alleviate the Situation
South East Water has taken steps to address the issue. The company has opened three collection points for bottled water and supplied 2,000 vulnerable customers with water directly. They have apologized for the inconvenience caused to the residents.
The firm assured the public that teams are working overnight to refill water storage tanks. They also mentioned that water supplies should gradually resume throughout the day.
Estimated Timeline for Resolution
According to South East Water, the problems may be resolved by 2 PM on Monday. As services resume, residents may notice discolored water due to the disturbance of natural deposits in the water mains. This is a standard occurrence during such interruptions.
Conclusion
The situation remains tense in Tunbridge Wells as residents await reliable updates and a restoration of their water supply. The criticisms regarding South East Water’s handling of the crisis underscore the importance of clear communication during emergencies.
