Tonbridge water outage enters second day as further supply problems hit west Kent

Repairs to a major burst water main in Tonbridge are continuing after an overnight equipment failure caused further delays, while separate supply problems have also been reported in Bidborough, Ightham and Ulcombe.

The main incident began shortly after 7am on Saturday, 1 August, when a large drinking water pipe burst beneath Shipbourne Road in Tonbridge.

Water flooded across the road and left part of the carriageway under several inches of water. At the height of the incident, around 3,200 properties experienced either no water or severely reduced pressure.

For many residents, the disruption became apparent while they were attempting to shower, prepare breakfast or make a morning drink. Some cafés and other local businesses also struggled to operate without a reliable water supply.

South East Water isolated the damaged section of pipe and rerouted water through other parts of its network. This restored supplies to many properties, but customers closest to the burst remained affected on Sunday morning.

South East Water said repairs had taken longer than expected because equipment failed overnight.

Engineers are also having to work carefully around high-voltage electricity cables near the damaged pipe, making the excavation more difficult and limiting how quickly the team can proceed.

Shipbourne Road remains closed to traffic to protect workers and members of the public while the repair continues.

The company said its teams were working as quickly and safely as possible, but no confirmed completion time had been provided on Sunday morning.

The Tonbridge burst has reduced water levels in drinking water storage tanks serving the wider area.

South East Water said this was affecting customers in Bidborough, where some homes were experiencing no water or low pressure.

The company is delivering bottled water directly to affected properties in Bidborough.

A separate technical problem was also reported at a South East Water site near Bidborough Ridge. The fault meant the company was unable to pump water normally while engineers worked to resolve the issue.

Two bottled water collection points reopened at 7am on Sunday:

• Sovereign Way East Car Park Tonbridge TN9 1QH
• Tonbridge Farm Sports Centre Darenth Avenue Tonbridge TN10 3JF

The stations are expected to remain open until 10pm.

Residents may collect water for neighbours who are elderly, vulnerable or unable to reach the sites themselves.

South East Water said it had completed deliveries to customers already listed on its Priority Services Register. Anyone who needs additional support but is not registered is being encouraged to join the service.

A separate burst water main has affected properties around Fen Pond Road in Ightham.

Residents reported low pressure or a complete loss of supply on Saturday evening.

South East Water said the repair had been passed to its contractors, who would attend and complete the work as soon as possible.

The company had not provided an estimated restoration time as of Sunday morning.

Residents in Ulcombe, near Maidstone, are facing a different kind of supply problem.

Homes on higher ground around Windmill Hill have experienced repeated interruptions during the recent hot weather because water has been used faster than the local network can be refilled.

South East Water has stationed two tankers in the area. Water is being injected directly into the pipe network to maintain supplies to around 19 affected properties.

One tanker remains near the injection point while another transports additional water to the area.

The operation is expected to continue until temperatures fall and demand for drinking water reduces.

A road closure remains in place on Windmill Hill to allow tanker drivers to work safely. A diversion is operating through Knowle Hill and Eastwood Road.

Residents may notice noise and bright lights from the tankers, particularly overnight, as the equipment must remain illuminated for safety.

The Ulcombe disruption has been continuing since at least 24 July, with residents experiencing intermittent or absent supplies during periods of high demand.

South East Water’s new chief executive, John Halsall, visited Tonbridge on Sunday alongside local MP Tom Tugendhat and Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council leader Matt Boughton.

They spoke to residents and helped distribute bottled water at the collection stations.

Mr Halsall apologised to customers and said repair teams were working to reduce the disruption and fix the burst as quickly as possible.

The company also thanked residents who had remained patient and respectful towards staff working at the repair site and bottled water stations.

Each of the incidents is being updated separately, and restoration times may differ depending on the location and cause of the problem.

Residents can enter their postcode on South East Water’s live works and outages map to check whether their property is affected.

The map also allows customers to register for free text message updates about individual supply interruptions.

South East Water says the map is updated around the clock and includes information about burst pipes, low pressure, water station locations and repair progress.

Follow the latest incidents: South East Water.

Residents who need additional assistance can also apply to the Priority Services Register or contact South East Water’s customer care team.