Kent residents are expressing frustration after facing water supply disruptions from South East Water during a particularly hot period. The widespread interruption affected tens of thousands of customers, with significant challenges in areas like Whitstable, Tankerton, Ashford, and surrounding regions. Businesses were forced to shut down due to the water supply issues.

The situation escalated with 22,000 people encountering water supply problems by Thursday. Residents fear the problems may extend into the weekend, leading to growing discontent towards the water company. One resident, Pat Prestage, shared her anger at the sudden supply cutoff, highlighting the struggles faced by vulnerable individuals like herself during such events.

Criticism towards South East Water intensified as customers voiced their dissatisfaction with the company’s response to the crisis. Concerns were raised about the lack of preparedness for extreme weather conditions, leading to prolonged water outages. The sentiment was echoed by a 90-year-old customer who described the situation as “disgusting” and unacceptable.

South East Water assured residents of their efforts to address the issues promptly. Despite some customers having their water restored, intermittent supply problems persist, particularly in areas like Whitstable and Cranbrook. The company acknowledged the challenges posed by high water demand during the heatwave, urging affected residents to conserve water for essential purposes until normal supply resumes.

Efforts are ongoing to stabilize the water supply for all impacted customers, with updates provided on the restoration progress. Residents are advised to limit their water usage to essential needs until the situation is fully resolved.