Water supply all restored after storms hit electricity supplies

South East Water is thanking its customers for their patience and understanding while its teams worked continuously and in difficult circumstances to restore water following power issues caused by storms Eunice and Franklin.

The loss of water happened following Storm Eunice, as a direct result of an unprecedented number of power failures across the company’s network. At one point more than 100 pumps and treatment works were without power.

Water has now been restored in all affected areas right across its region where it supplies drinking water to 2.2 million customers in parts of Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire.

If customers are still without water, this will be extremely localised and likely caused by airlocks. To resolve this issue customers are being asked to contact the company as soon as possible so this can be resolved.

In addition, as the system continues to settle, some customers may notice their water is cloudy or slightly discoloured. Cloudy water is a result of air in the water so if it’s left to stand for a moment, it will clear. To resolve discolouration, customers can run their kitchen tap for a few minutes until the water clears.

Further information on cloudy or discoloured water can be found on the company’s website, here(opens in a new tab).

Douglas Whitfield, Director of Operations, South East Water, said: “The power disruption we experienced as a result of the recent storms is entirely unprecedented and unlike anything we have ever seen before - losing power to more than 100 of our vital water supply assets across such a wide area of Sussex.

“We are very sorry for the inconvenience and worry this period of being without water has caused. We thank our customers for their patience and understanding while our teams worked continuously and in difficult circumstances to resolve the issues and restore supply.

“We are very grateful to Sussex Resilience Forum which helped in a number of ways including to help us identify and deliver water to vulnerable customers and spreading our messaging. Everyone has been a great help.

“I also want to highlight the dedication of our team which has tirelessly been working very long hours to get our complex network up and running again or out in the hardest-hit areas handing out or delivering bottled water direct to our customers.

“We were delighted that a large number of customers with additional needs acted on our plea to sign up to our Priority Services Register to receive deliveries of bottled water direct to their homes.

“But our message is always, don’t wait for an emergency as registering for the Priority Services Register is simple and can be done today by contacting the Customer Care team on 0800 952 4000 or by going to southeastwater.co.uk/priority(opens in a new tab).”