south east water is a joke of a utility company

January 2026, a major incident declared after 30,000 homes experiencing water shortages across South East

Another Major Incident for Tunbridge Wells has been declared by the Kent Resilience Forum as a result of the ongoing water supply outages. A growing number of our communities across the borough are now being impacted, and it is getting increasingly difficult for residents, businesses and schools to cope with the uncertainties, anxieties and practicalities regarding what is an essential service.As a member of Kent Resilience Forum the Council is once again fully engaged in the multi-agency process of monitoring the incident and supporting the emergency response. We cannot tell the water company what to do but we can scrutinise their operational handling of the incident and hold them to account.Council Leader Ben Chapelard

What was in the water?

Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust have said that people should "use cooled, boiled tap water for bathing babies, children and vulnerable adults."“Parents prepping baby formula for their young children are once again advised to boil the tap water first in order to sterilise it and make it safe.”So it was not safe to wash your children in this water.

In response to the latest disaster, thankfully there were loads of empty statements from people who could have actually done something.

SEW said it was continuing to investigate what caused water quality to drop at the site.

The lack of detail about what has happened is concerning residents of Tunbridge Wells

"Lessons are always learnt in any incident"

says Tanya Sefton, customers services director for SEW. Thanks Tanya, that's helpful!

Ed Davey MP came and handed out some water for the press photos and asked Kier Starmer a question in parliament.

Kier Starmer said "There's really serious consequences and we are bearing down on that as he would expect because it's such a serious issue." which means a lot because absolutely nothing has happened from it.

There is no mention of compensation for businesses on the South East Water website.

John Vinson, head of company engagement at the Consumer Council for Water (CCW), said: "Whether a person is entitled to a payment and the amount will depend on how long they were left without water.

"Dave Hinton needs to do his job or resign."

Posted on X by Cannock Chase MP, Josh Newbury. Thanks Josh! That's really moved things along.

“I have spoken to Dave Hinton this morning and made clear that the continued disruption to water supplies is unacceptable. The DWI will undertake a full investigation into what caused this incident and why it’s taken so long to restore supply to customers.”

Thanks Emma Hardy! That's done nothing. People still have to boil their water in Tunbridge Wells.

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Some people have written letters which were totally useless

1. Alistair Carmichael wrote a letter!

Thanks for the letter, Alistair! It's a really good one!

2. Greg Clark wrote a letter!

He's the former MP to Tunbridge Wells so this one means a lot!

3. Rosie Duffield wrote a letter!

This was in July 2025 regarding the unacceptable water shortages in Whitstable, Seasalter and surrounding areas.She said "my team are here to support you. If you have any ongoing issues with your water supply, please get in touch."Thanks Rosie!

These letters make such a huge difference when sent to a privatised company with no accountability. Keep up the letter writing everyone!

Despite all this, South East Water still have the audacity to appeal to Ofwat to raise their water prices

South East Water has been served the most DWI notices of all 10 water supply companies during the past five years.

Between the financial years 2020 to 2025, 51 notices were served on SEW by the DWI on behalf of the Secretary of State, including one relating to Pembury Treatment Works. The DWI website shows SEW sent a report in September 2024 to the DWI, stating there was or had been "a significant risk of supplying water from Pembury water treatment works, and associated assets as applicable, that could constitute a potential danger to human health or could be unwholesome". source

2025 24,000 people without water for 6 days in Tunbridge Wells

Even when water was restored, it was unsafe to drink. "Where is the boss of South East Water?"

2024 Ofwat Risk notice given

“There is or has been a significant risk of supplying water from Pembury water treatment works (and associated assets as applicable) that could constitute a potential danger to human health or could be unwholesome.”

2023 properties in East Sussex spend 3 days without fresh water

In the same week that it paid out £2.3m in dividends to investors.

2022, 20,000 people without water over Christmas

South East Water admitted that it could not guarantee all customers in Kent and East Sussex that water would be restored by the Christmas weekend, after a threefold increase in leaks.Back then Grey Clark called it “unacceptably bad and in some instances chaotic”. Thanks Greg! very helpful!

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Leaving parents scared to bathe their children, businesses with no support other than some strongly worded letters, and above all no support for the town's elderly population is despicable behaviour.

© Screw you South East Water. All rights reserved.