Tunbridge Wells Left High and Dry as Water Crisis Hits 6,000 Homes
Tunbridge Wells is parched after Pembury treatment works was shut down over a dodgy chemical batch. More than 6,000 households face dry taps for the second day running, sparking panic among locals scrambling for water.
What Broke Down at Pembury?
South East Water confirmed yesterday that the Pembury treatment plant closed after detecting a faulty chemical batch. Incident manager Matthew Dean said:
“Our Pembury treatment site has stopped working due to a bad chemical batch resulting in the water treatment works site shutting down. We’re sorry for the disruption to our customers.”
Good news: water in other areas remains safe to use without boiling.
Emergency Water Deliveries Kick In
With taps running dry and pressure plunging, South East Water is scrambling to keep Tunbridge Wells hydrated. Bottled water stations have popped up across town, plus deliveries are going out to care homes. A water tanker is even supporting Tunbridge Wells Hospital.
- 1,700 vulnerable residents on the Priority Services Register are getting priority for bottled water deliveries.
- Public water points are set up across the area.
- Emergency water supply to crucial services like hospitals ensured.
Dean added, “We expect to replace the affected chemical batch with a fresh supply today and are moving water around the network to restore supply ASAP.”
Stay Updated and Get Help
South East Water urges anyone needing extra support to join their Priority Services Register.
The firm is conducting flow and pressure tests to identify who is still affected and pledges to keep updates flowing. Residents should monitor official channels and brace for a few more days of disruption.
