Over 2,000 properties still facing water disruption

Over 2,000 properties in various parts of Kent are continuing to suffer from water supply issues.

South East Water (SEW) apologised to 1,800 properties in the Benenden and Rolvenden area, which they said might be experiencing low or no water pressure.

The firm said a technical issue at a local water treatment works overnight was coupled with ongoing low levels in storage tanks supplying the area.

SEW added that a burst main in the Bethersden area overnight had resulted in low pressure or no water for around 585 properties in Woodchurch and the surrounding areas.

Incident manager Jenny Rhodes said: "We apologise unreservedly to all customers impacted by the recent disruptions to their water supply and know how frustrating it is, especially in the recent hot weather.

"We recognise the serious impact this has had on our customers.

"This is not the service our customers expect, nor is it the service we aim to provide."

SEW has set up bottled water stations in affected areas and said it was also delivering supplies to people.

It added it was continuing to monitor water levels in the Herne Bay and Whitstable areas.

Tankers are being used to support the local network and help the storage tanks recover from the very high demand due to the hot weather.

Water supplies were returned to 7,600 properties in the area on Tuesday.

There were also supply problems for some properties in Sussex, including in Selmeston, Iden, Haywards Heath and Eastbourne.

SEW said it was working hard to repair burst water mains that might be causing low pressure, intermittent supply or no water for some customers close to the locations of the bursts.

Up to 150 properties in Selmeston are impacted by a burst water main, with around 45 properties impacted by a burst in Iden.

It added water was being moved around the network to keep as many customers as possible with supplies.

Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.