Thousands of individuals in Whitstable are facing long lines under the sun to get bottled water as their taps have stopped functioning due to the recent intense heatwave. South East Water attributed the water shortage to the storage reservoirs in the region reaching a critical level during the heatwave.
Approximately 8,000 customers are currently without water supply in the area, leading to heavy traffic and queues at a Sainsbury’s where bottled water is being distributed. The water company has advised customers to limit water usage to essential activities like drinking, washing, and cooking due to ongoing supply challenges since the hot bank holiday weekend.
Kent County Council officials have promised increased oversight of water supply, quality, and infrastructure in response to multiple recent water outages causing frustration among residents. Although tap water is expected to be restored in Whitstable later on Thursday, intermittent supply issues may persist through the weekend.
Around 7,000 customers in areas like Tankerton, Ashford, Ulcombe, Cranbrook, Coxheath, and Headcorn are experiencing low water pressure or intermittent supply. An additional 7,000 residents are at risk of facing water supply disruptions, according to South East Water incident manager Steve Benton.
Benton acknowledged the ongoing water supply challenges in Kent, citing high demand during the hot weather. The company is working to replenish water levels in storage reservoirs to restore normal supply, with 628 million liters of water pumped to customers on Wednesday alone.
In response to customer concerns, the Kent Water Resilience Partnership, chaired by council leader Linden Kemkaran, is being established to oversee water resilience in the county and address water-related issues transparently. Kemkaran emphasized the need for clear communication and accountability in handling water supply disruptions.
The establishment of the partnership follows calls from the Green group at Kent County Council to address water supply emergencies and ensure the adequacy of water resources in the county. Green councillor Stuart Heaver expressed frustration over recurring water supply issues and emphasized the importance of investigating the fitness of the water supply system.