'We can't wash': Families hit by Kent water crisis

Families who have been left without water for days say the situation has been "getting gross" as they continue to wait for issues to be fixed.

South East Water customers in Tunbridge Wells and parts of East Sussex say they are still unable to wash clothes, dishes or themselves after five days of water supply issues.

Residents now say they may need to leave their homes over fears that problems could persist and continue to affect thousands of homes in the region.

Tom Carman, 37, from Tunbridge Wells, said he and his young family had been without water for more than five days and would now be heading to stay with his parents in Bromley until the problems were resolved.

He said: "Children create a lot of mess – we're not able to wash the dishes or ourselves and we've run out of clean bibs.

"We are normally a very clean family, but it's getting gross now.

"The updates we have had have been terrible, but there has been a lot of clubbing together within the local community."

Water supply returned to around 24,000 homes in Kent and East Sussex after five days of problems, only for issues to resurface due to a "water quality issue", South East Water said.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the situation as "shocking" after the ongoing issue was raised by Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey at Prime Minister's Questions.

Deborah Park, from Frant in East Sussex, said her supply had been "intermittent" throughout, but that some in the area had not had water for four days.

She said: "Most people can survive for a couple of days but by day five you haven't been able to wash your crockery or your clothes.

"Our nearest water distribution sites are in Tunbridge Wells and for some that is over a three-mile journey.

"This incident gives the overall impression of a total lack of resilience in the infrastructure."

Three bottled water stations have been set up in Tunbridge Wells for those affected by the issues.

South East Water says supply has returned to some homes, but that water must be boiled before it is safe to drink, or used to wash and prepare food or brush teeth.

The boil water notice will be in place until at least 13 December, the water company added.

Dr Neil Hudson, South East Water head of water quality, said the boil water notice was precautionary to avoid potential health implications.

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