Residents across Kent and East Sussex have been airing their frustration as water supply issues continue for a sixth day
In its latest update, South East Water said '"almost all" were now reconnected
Businesses have also been affected, with one saying they have lost at least £15,000 so far in profits, while others have had to throw away produce
A notice to boil water before drinking came into effect on Wednesday, and will be in place for a minimum of 10 days in various postcodes
Watch: South East Water executive questioned by BBC South East
Our live coverage of the water supply issues in and around Tunbridge Wells is finishing for the day. Thank you for joining us.
You can read back through our coverage, or click here to catch up on the day's events.
In its latest update, South East Water says: "Water has now returned to almost all 24,000 properties and we are continuing work to refill the pipe network.
"Most customers who have experienced supply issues should now have water returning to their taps, although some isolated issues may still remain particularly on higher ground where some customers may still be experiencing intermittent supply, no water, or low pressure."
Some businesses in Tunbridge Wells are opening today for the first time in days. Others have managed to keep open throughout.
Mike Martin MP has said the town's companies need "Covid-style" support and it is not enough for them to make insurance claims, which are "often subject to significant excesses".
Some firms "may not have pre-notified insurance companies (a requirement of cover in many cases) given the repeated false assurances" by South East Water on when water would be restored, the Tunbridge Wells MP wrote.
He said that "ideally the Treasury would then pursue a claim/fine" against South East Water to recover money he is proposing they pay out to local businesses via Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.
The chief executive of the Royal Tunbridge Wells Together Business Improvement District said on Wednesday that he suspects the town's businesses have collectively lost "in the millions, but quite possibly in the 10s of millions" of pounds.
Image source, Getty ImagesMike Martin MP (right) has written to Water Minister Emma Hardy
The MP for Tunbridge Wells is calling for millions of pounds of "Covid-style business continuity and recovery support" for firms affected by the water supply problems in recent days.
Mike Martin MP says in an open letter to the water minister that there is a "very real chance that this crisis will see businesses go under".
He asked for £18.5m to be made available to Tunbridge Wells Borough Council to support businesses.
The council needs the funds "immediately" as it "does not have surplus cash", according to the MP's letter.
In case you missed it, here is a timeline summarising what has happened over the last six days of water supply chaos.
Customers who experienced a failure in water supply and were issued with a boil water notice are subject to compensation from South East Water.
The company's website states:
The Ofwat website says customers are entitled to £50 for low water pressure, up to five payments per financial year. It adds it is an automatic £250 a year payment for customers with ongoing low pressure.
BBC Radio Kent political reporter Michael Keohan went to South East Water's headquarters to put your questions to its chief executive, David Hinton.
But he was nowhere to be seen.
We have since been told by South East Water that we will have to keep bidding, and that Mr Hinton would not be available for an interview "anytime soon".
As we said earlier, if Mr Hinton is reading this, there is an offer on the table for a BBC interview whenever suits you.
Image source, Getty ImagesUp to 24,000 South East Water customers in 10 postcode areas around Tunbridge Wells are being asked for 10 days to:
Make sure you boil your tap water - and let it cool - before:
Or you can use bottled water instead until the boil notice is lifted.
You do not need to boil your tap water before:
More details of what the boil warning means to water users can be found here.
Readers have been getting in contact to share their messages about how the water supply failure has been impacting them.
One reader wrote: “I think it is a disgrace no one from South East Water has actually came out and said what the water is infected with and what happens if it is consumed.
“The level of communication has been appalling from day one with missed deadlines."
Another wrote: “If you boil 10 kettles a day at 6p a kettle, this is 60p. If you do this for 10 days, this is £6. Hardly insignificant.”
A third added: “Shameless statement from South East Water about energy bills. If it’s so minimal, they can pay for it.”
Meanwhile, another reader wrote: “The water may have returned, but the pressure is shocking. We can at least flush the toilet but can’t have a shower as there’s no pressure as it just dribbles."
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Fiona Irving
South East environment correspondent
Affected customers in parts of Kent and East Sussex have been advised to boil water for the next nine days before drinking it.
We asked Neil Hudson, South East Water's head of water quality, why the precautions had come in place and how concerned should residents be.
Image source, Getty ImagesSome businesses in Tunbridge Wells are preparing to open their doors tonight for the first time since water was initially switched off.
Cantuccio Pizza said it would be reopening with necessary precautions, including setting the dishwasher to a high temperature and making dough with bottled filtered water.
The Manor House, a bar and nightclub in the centre of Tunbridge Wells, said it was also reopening on Wednesday evening.
Other businesses, who have recently got supply back, said they would use today to “catch up” before reopening on the weekend.
There has been a big push on social media over the last few days from independent businesses in Tunbridge Wells, with people encouraging one another to shop local.
Image source, Getty ImagesA notice to boil water before drinking it came into effect on Wednesday and will be in place for a minimum of 10 days.
A full list of postcodes affected can be found on South East Water's website here., external
The company said the affected postcodes were in the following areas: TN1 1, TN1 2, TN2 3, TN2 4, TN2 5, TN3 9, TN4 0, TN4 8, TN4 9 and TN11 0.
Those who want to use water for drinking, cooking, cleaning kitchen counters, washing up or brushing teeth have been told to use bottled water or boiled tap water.
Craig Buchan
in Tunbridge Wells
I've never enjoyed putting on a load of laundry as much as I did today.
After finding my water pressure low when I brushed my teeth on Saturday night, I have had no supply at all until this morning.
I've been able to get lifts from friends to collect bottled water and have been able to use a shower elsewhere. I don't have young children or elderly relatives to look after, so I'm lucky to have not been finding this as difficult as some others.
It was quite a relief to have something come out the taps again - the last four days have felt very long. Now, like the rest of Tunbridge Wells, I'm gearing up for a long spell of boiling water.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed the supply doesn't go off again - the last time I checked, some of my neighbours still did not have fresh water.
Image source, UK ParliamentA member of the environment committee has called for the resignation of the South East Water boss, David Hinton.
Cannock Chase MP, Josh Newbury, posted on X: " Dave Hinton needs to do his job or resign."
He likened his behaviour to that of the former boss of South West Water, Susan Davy, calling it "cowardly, accountability-dodging behaviour".
Ms Davy resigned from her post.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe NHS says people should not use unboiled tap water to bathe babies and children.
It follows guidance to South East Water customers affected by the water supply interruption to use bottled water or boiled tap water for drinking, cooking, cleaning kitchen counters, washing up and brushing teeth.
Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust said people should "use cooled, boiled tap water for bathing babies, children and vulnerable adults."
“Parents prepping baby formula for their young children are once again advised to boil the tap water first in order to sterilise it and make it safe,” an NHS spokesperson added.
Michael Keohan
BBC Kent political reporter
We spent the whole of Wednesday morning outside the headquarters of South East Water, looking to put your questions to the bosses.
We have been told that we will not be hearing "when, where or how" from its chief executive, David Hinton. Instead, we were given a comment by South East Water, stating its main priority was resolving the issues.
We have since been told by South East Water that we will have to keep bidding, but that he was not available "anytime soon".
If Mr Hinton is reading this, there is an offer on the table for a BBC interview whenever suits you.
Some affected customers have been told to boil their water before using it for drinking, washing up, cooking, brushing teeth and cleaning kitchen counters.
The issue of an increased electricity bill has been raised with South East Water by some online.
Here was its response:
Quote MessageThe cost of boiling an average kettle in the UK is 6p, depending on the energy tariff you are on. We expect the impact on your energy bill to be minimal and appreciate your understanding as we work hard to restore the quality of your water supply.
South East Water, Spokesperson
Image source, PA Media