More than 1,500 without water after burst pipes

Burst mains pipes left more than 1,500 customers across the South East with little or no water.

South East Water apologised to those who were experiencing low water pressure or no water in nine areas across Kent, Surrey, East and West Sussex and Hampshire.

The affected areas were parts of Pembury, Canterbury, Herne Bay, Haslemere, Crowborough, Mayfield and Aldershot.

Simon Rejbakoz, manager of The Camden Arms in Pembury High Street, says his guests have no running water and functions which are too late to cancel.

He said: “We have a hotel so we are now dealing with guests that are sat in rooms with toilets that don’t flush and have no washing facilities.

“Should it continue on we’ve got to look at maybe moving them to another hotel and losing out on that business.

“There’s obviously never anything back from the water companies to accommodate any of that.”

South East Water said it had been able to maintain supplies to the majority of customers affected by the bursts.

“We are really sorry to those of you who are experiencing low water pressure or no water at the moment,” a South East Water spokesperson said.

“As soon as the repairs have been completed, your water will return to normal.”

Nick Bell, South East Water’s head of operations, said investigations and repairs were under way, and the majority of those who remained affected should have their supplies fully restored later today.

Supplies in Woodhill Park, Pembury, is currently being restored to the 1,500 customers, South East Water said.

Skinners' Kent Academy in Tunbridge Wells sent children home at midday on Friday due to supply issues.

Mark Turnbull had to pick up his niece at short notice.

He said: “My sister had a message from the school to say unfortunately they were closing the school due to a water problem.

“It’s inconvenient for the pupils – I’m sure most of them are actually delighted to have Friday afternoon off.

“It’s also difficult for parents. There’s quite a few people who work in London so that must be difficult.”

Supplies in Woodhill Park, Pembury, is currently being restored to the 1,500 customers, South East Water said.

Two customers in this area will remain without water until the pipe is fully repaired, the firm added.

A total of 52 properties are affected in Marley Lane, Haslemere, while 22 properties are affected in Cranmore Lane, Aldershot.

No customers in the other areas are now affected, with repairs under way or complete.

To allow for the safe repairs of the burst pipes, traffic management was put in place before the work stated, the spokesperson added.

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