Boil Water Notice Issued for Tunbridge Wells Amid Water Supply Failure at Pembury Treatment Plant
Tunbridge Wells is currently under a boil water notice with the water supply cut from Saturday due to a failure at the Pembury water treatment works in Kent, which had previously been warned about contamination risks by the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) in 2024.
The tap water in Tunbridge Wells is not suitable for drinking, for pets, for brushing teeth, or for bathing if there is an open wound. This notice is expected to remain in place for at least 10 days. The disruption has caused closures of schools, restaurants, pubs, and hotels, and GP surgeries are struggling to obtain clean water supplies.
South East Water, the provider, is described as financially stressed and on the brink of collapse. The company had previously sought a £200 million cash injection from investors after being placed on Ofwat's watchlist. Neil Hudson, South East Water’s head of water quality, advised residents against drinking the water and urged anyone feeling unwell to consult a GP. No date has been given for restoration of the water supply.
The DWI is investigating the incident to determine its cause and ensure that consumer protection measures are implemented. The regulator has the authority to pursue enforcement or legal action if evidence supports this. Water minister Emma Hardy has stated that continued disruption is unacceptable, affirming that the DWI will conduct a full investigation. South East Water’s response and timelines for restoration remain uncertain at this time.
