Tunbridge Wells Water Crisis: 6,000 Homes Receive Bottled Water

Emergency Water Stations Deployed as Chemical Issue Cuts Supply to 6,000 Homes

A major water outage has struck Tunbridge Wells. More than 6,000 homes were left without running water. The disruption started on Saturday night into Sunday morning.

South East Water confirmed a “bad chemical batch” at the Pembury treatment works caused the shutdown. Emergency bottled water stations were quickly established as a critical response.

water outage Tunbridge Wells

Community Response and Distribution Efforts

Residents queued at distribution points like the Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre. Each household could collect up to 12 bottles of water. Police were called to manage significant traffic congestion around these sites.

According to South East Water, supplies at stations were maintained. The company’s incident manager assured the public the water in the system was safe and did not require boiling. This was a key message to prevent unnecessary alarm.

Support for Vulnerable Residents and Timeline for Restoration

Special measures were taken for vulnerable citizens. Over 1,700 people on the Priority Services Register received direct home deliveries. Care homes and Tunbridge Wells Hospital were also supported with alternative supplies.

The initial estimate for restoring supply was 6pm Sunday. This was later revised. South East Water now expects normal service to return by 6:00 AM on Monday, December 1st.

The widespread water outage in Tunbridge Wells tested the community’s resilience and the utility’s emergency protocols. While the immediate crisis is nearing its end, it highlights the fragility of essential infrastructure and the importance of swift, coordinated public communication during such events.

Info at your fingertips

What caused the Tunbridge Wells water outage?

A problematic chemical batch at the Pembury water treatment works forced a full shutdown of the facility. This was a precautionary measure to ensure water safety.

Where could residents collect emergency water?

South East Water set up multiple bottled water stations. The main site was the Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre on St John’s Road.

How many households were affected?

Over 6,000 properties in the Tunbridge Wells area lost their water supply due to the incident at the treatment works.

Was there support for vulnerable people?

Yes. South East Water delivered water directly to 1,700 vulnerable residents on its priority list. Care homes and the local hospital also received dedicated support.

When will the water be fully restored?

Full water supply is expected to be reinstated by 6:00 AM on Monday, December 1st, 2025. Residents should check official channels for updates.