Chaos in Dartford as Water Main Bursts, Flooding Streets and Homes
Scenes of muddy water gushing through Dartford streets have left thousands of residents stranded without water after a major water main burst. The flood waters surged right up to the doors of homes, flooding roads and forcing frantic residents to move their cars to safety.
Two Deep Sinkholes Tear Up Street
The burst pipe caused two huge sinkholes to open in the middle of a Dartford road on Sunday evening, sending water and mud cascading onto the streets. Homes in the DA1, DA2, and DA9 postcode areas lost water supply instantly, leaving thousands dry.
Repairs Could Take Fortnight
Thames Water engineers shut off the water flow at around 9.30pm on Sunday to limit damage. They warned repairs would likely take up to two weeks due to the scale of the damage. Thames Water said in a statement:
“Thank you for informing us about low water pressure and no water in DA1, DA2, and DA9. Our specialist engineers have now arrived and are working hard to restore your water supply as soon as possible. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and will update you as soon as we have news.”
Irony as Drought Grips South East
Just as Dartford floods, the rest of London and the South East prepare for harsh hosepipe bans as the region faces its driest July since 1935 amid an ongoing heatwave. Temperatures are expected to hit 29°C next week as South East Water enforces bans on gardens, car washing, and filling pools in Kent and Sussex from August 12.
- Thousands without water after burst pipe
- Two sinkholes flood streets and create chaos
- Repairs expected to take up to two weeks
- Hosepipe ban starts in Kent amid ongoing drought
The stark contrast between flooding in Dartford and water shortages across the region sums up the extreme challenges faced by the South East’s water infrastructure this summer.
