Tunbridge Wells water restored after weekend issues, SEW says

Water has returned to customers after about 7,000 properties were hit with supply issues over the weekend because of failure at a treatment works, South East Water (SEW) says.

Parts of Tunbridge Wells and Pembury in Kent were affected shortly before 10:00 BST on Saturday, and just before 22:00 BST on Sunday SEW said supplies had been restored.

“We are genuinely sorry for the low pressure, intermittent supply, or lack of water recently experienced,” the company said. “This is not the standard of service our customers deserve.”

In November, 24,000 SEW customers lost supply or pressure in the area before about 30,000 homes in Kent and Sussex faced supply issues just weeks later.

Customers were advised during the issues in 2025 to boil their water before consumption for a nine-day period after supplies returned.

SEW bosses then blamed the following string of issues on freezing temperatures and Storm Goretti, while the most recent problems were because of a temporary instrument failure at the Tunbridge Wells water treatment works, the company said.

Three bottled water stations had been set up in the area to help those impacted during the weekend.

Customers were told as water returned it could look discoloured, but SEW said this was due to “harmless, naturally occurring iron and manganese deposits stirred up by pressure changes”.

Those with discoloured water were advised to run their cold tap until it runs clear.