Many households in the UK are currently facing water shortages, leading to a declared “major incident.”
Residents in Kent and Sussex are experiencing reduced water pressure or intermittent water supply due to the cold weather causing leaks and bursts. This situation has forced some schools to close for the day.
According to Linden Kemkaran, the leader of Kent County Council, a major incident has been announced as more households and facilities have been affected in the past 24 hours, prompting additional preparations for potential disruptions.
South East Water has indicated that reservoir levels will not be sufficient to restore normal water supply until tomorrow. The company expressed regret for the inconvenience faced by customers experiencing water shortages.
Bottled water stations have been set up in Sussex at various locations, including East Grinstead Sports Club and Kings Centre, to provide relief. Similarly, in Kent, bottled water is available at different sites, such as Tunbridge Wells Rugby Club and St. Marks Recreation Ground.
Several schools in Kent and Sussex have been forced to close due to the water shortage, including Brambletye School, Tiny Tigers, and Ulcombe C of E Primary School, among others.
A government minister has expressed concern over the water supply issues in the South East and South West regions, deeming the situation “entirely unacceptable.” Efforts are being made to restore supplies promptly, with a focus on assisting vulnerable customers and essential services.
South East Water has reported that customers in East Grinstead and surrounding areas have been experiencing water supply disruptions since Saturday due to storm-related issues impacting water treatment and storage levels.
Meanwhile, South West Water highlighted the severe impact of Storm Goretti on their network, with uprooted trees causing significant damage to water mains in the Helston area, affecting water supply for many customers.
Repair works are underway in the affected areas, with progress being made to restore water supply to those impacted by the disruptions caused by the recent storms.
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