Vulnerable customers at the heart of new emergency plans in the Wealden area.

In an effort to prioritize the well-being of our communities, South East Water and Wealden District Council have joined forces to develop an emergency plan that places vulnerable customers at the forefront. Our goal is to ensure that everyone in the Wealden area has access to fresh drinking water during any disruptions to the water supply.

Key information about care homes, hospitals and other vulnerable non-residential customers has been shared to create a contingency plan that guarantees the delivery of as much drinking as possible in the event of a supply issue.

This collaborative initiative proposes timely deliveries of temporary water tanks, pallets of fresh drinking water, and an injection of water to boost pipeline supplies.

Parris Durant, Alternative Water Manager at South East water said: “The contingency plan aims to make sure that as many customers as possible have access to fresh drinking water during events where their supply may be limited or cut off.”

Residents of the area have also been considered in the strategy, a list of venues has been provided to South East Water in order for them to set up temporary bottled water stations where appropriate and these will provide drinking water for those who can collect it.

Vulnerable residents that cannot travel to the bottled water stations can sign up to the Priority Services Register (PSR) to receive water deliveries to their homes.

Parris added: “The main aim of the plan is to make South East Water’s emergency response protocols more efficient and this will be put to the test in in a ‘mock-event’ drill in the near future. Then we can see how smoothly everything runs and adjust where needed.”

What to expect in an emergency?

Focused support for vulnerable non-residential customers

• Deliveries of temporary water tanks
• Pallets of fresh drinking water
• Water injections to enhance pipeline supply

Community-wide assistance

• Venues identified for setting up bottled water stations
• These stations will provide accessible drinking water for residents that can collect it

Priority Services Register

• Vulnerable residents who can’t travel can sign up HERE for water deliveries to their homes