Firm 'pushed to limits' as hundreds face water issues

South East Water has said its teams are exhausted and "pushed to limits" as it attempts to restore water to about 1,200 properties facing supply issues.

The firm has apologised to customers in the Charing, Challock and Molash areas who have been experiencing problems since Saturday.

It said drinking water supplies to about 800 properties in the area were currently affected but it was working to restore provisions.

Elsewhere, in Benenden, Rolvenden and surrounding areas, SEW said about 400 properties had low pressure or no water following recent pipe bursts and high demand during the hot weather.

Mike Pickard, incident support manager at SEW, told BBC South East: "It's an ongoing challenge for us at the moment and we apologise sincerely to all affected customers.

He admitted the situation was "unacceptable" but said the firm was doing everything it could.

He added: "Our team is exhausted and being pushed to limits to make sure water is running."

In Blean, Canterbury, SEW said a technical issue meant it was unable to pump water. It said it was working hard to fix the issue as quickly as possible.

Overnight power issues left a further 200 properties in the Wraik Hill area of Whitstable without full supply, but the firm said supplies were expected to be restored on Monday morning.

Meanwhile, it said customers in the Herne Bay area affected by water supply issues on Sunday had supplies restored overnight.

However, it said the area was experiencing further problems on Monday morning as the drinking water storage tank which supplies the town remained critically low.

"We are doing everything we can to try to recharge the levels in the storage tank that feeds the area to try and make sure we can restore supplies as soon as possible," it said.

One SEW customer, Frazer Stodart, said: "I currently have eight people in the house and no water.

"I'm slightly annoyed after a large increase in bills - the least they should do is provide water."

David Ciechanski added: "It is getting a lot more common.

"We first had it a few months ago and there's now been one every three or four weeks across east Kent."

Pickard said: "We know we need to invest in certain areas and we are, but we can't do that overnight.

"I would love to say when all supplies will be back but it is an ongoing, changing picture."

SEW said bottled water stations would be open until 22:00 BST at:

• The Weald Sports Centre in Cranbrook
• Challock Village Hall
• Sainsbury's at Altira Business Park in Herne Bay
• Sturry Road Park and Ride in Canterbury
• Wincheap Park and Ride in Canterbury

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