Thousands of residents in Kent are entering a third day with little to no running water after a significant incident at a key treatment facility forced its closure over the weekend.
Cause of the Widespread Disruption
The disruption stems from what South East Water (SEW) has termed a "chemical issue" at the Pembury Water Treatment Works in Tunbridge Wells. The plant was shut down on Saturday, 30 November 2025.
Local MP Mike Martin provided more detail, explaining on social media that the problem was caused by a "bad batch of coagulant chemicals." These chemicals are vital in the water purification process, as they cause fine particles to clump together for easier removal.
The faulty batch meant water could not be pumped effectively into storage tanks, leading to critically low levels. A replacement chemical delivery arrived on Sunday, but the utility company has warned that refilling the network's storage must be done slowly to prevent further problems.
Impact on the Community and Timeline for Resolution
The water supply issue has had a severe impact on daily life across the area. At least 23,000 customers have been affected, with many experiencing low pressure or a complete loss of supply as of Monday, 1 December.
The disruption has forced closures of essential services. Multiple schools were unable to open for the new week, with the Kent County Council website listing over ten primary and secondary schools closed due to having no water. MP Martin urged parents to check directly with their children's schools for updates.
Businesses and community facilities, including the Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre and The Camden Centre, also remained shut. Residents have expressed significant frustration online, with local businesses like the Black Horse pub seeking guidance on compensation.
SEW initially hoped to restore supply by 6am on Monday but later revised its estimate. The company now states that the issue is expected to be fixed by 2pm on Monday, 1 December. Once the Pembury tanks are replenished, water will be sent to the Blackhurst tank, which supplies the whole of Tunbridge Wells.
Bottled Water Stations and What to Expect Next
To support residents, South East Water has established several bottled water stations in the area, which opened from 8:30am on Monday. The locations are:
- Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre, St John's Rd, Royal Tunbridge Wells TN4 9TX
- RCP Parking, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 5TP
- Odeon Cinema Knights Way, Tunbridge Wells TN2 3UW
The company also confirmed it has delivered bottled water directly to more than 2,000 of its most vulnerable customers.
SEW has advised that when the water supply returns, residents may temporarily experience brown, white, or cloudy water. This is described as normal and is due to natural deposits being disturbed within the network. The water company has pledged to address compensation for affected customers automatically once the incident is fully resolved.
