Britons bracing for more warm weather this weekend will face additional challenges as a water company urges thousands to conserve water due to supply issues despite temperatures nearing 30C. South East Water has called on its customers to limit water usage to essential needs like drinking, washing, and cooking as shortages persist in Kent. The situation has impacted up to 3,500 customers, leading to temporary closures of businesses and long queues at water distribution points.
Matthew Dean, the company’s incident response manager, advised affected individuals to save water as tap water availability is expected to be sporadic throughout the weekend in the region. While restoration efforts are underway, some areas like Whitstable are still without water supply, while Cranbrook grapples with dwindling water reserves.
In various areas such as Coxheath, Loose, Headcorn, Herne Bay, and Benenden, around 10,500 customers are facing low water pressure or intermittent supply. Mr. Dean highlighted that despite some progress in restoring water services, high demand during the heatwave has led to fluctuating water availability for most customers, with interruptions most likely during peak usage times.
To support vulnerable customers, nearly 230,000 liters of water have been distributed, with bottled water provided to essential facilities like care homes and pharmacies. Additionally, approximately 340,000 bottles of water have been dispensed at distribution points, with plans to open more locations to meet demand. Weather forecasts indicate continued high temperatures in Kent and the southeast, with temperatures expected to range between 24C and 26C on Saturday and 21C to 22C on Sunday.
Addressing the ongoing situation, South East Water’s Mr. Dean reiterated the importance of conserving water for critical needs and expressed regret for the inconvenience caused by supply disruptions. Efforts are being made to resolve the issues promptly, with water pumping levels exceeding the usual daily averages to meet heightened demand during the heatwave.
Mr. Dean emphasized the company’s commitment to addressing water supply challenges and encouraged customers to prioritize essential water usage until normal supply levels are restored.
