BBC News, South East
South East WaterThousands of residents in west Kent still have no access to water as efforts continue to repair a burst water pipe.
South East Water has apologised after the burst pipe caused significant flooding and damaged critical equipment at one of its water treatment stations on Saturday.
The incident affected about 7,000 properties in Kings Hill, Wateringbury, Yalding, West Kingdsown, Borough Green, Hadlow and Five Oak Green.
Earlier, the company said it had restarted its water treatment works on Sunday night but most of the 7,000 affected properties were unlikely to get their supplies back on Monday.
Philip Jones, South East Water incident manager, said: “I am very sorry to all our customers who are still experiencing issues with their water supplies this morning.
“Last night we were able to re-start our water treatment works which shut down after a burst water main caused flooding and critical damage to equipment at the site.
He said that, although it was now operational, it was not yet running at full capacity but tankers were injecting water directly into water storage tanks to help with the recovery.
He added: “I’m sorry that most of the 7,000 properties affected are unlikely to get their water supplies back today.”
Bottled water stations
The water company said bottled water was being delivered directly to care homes and customers listed on its Priority Services Register.
Bottled water stations were also due to open again on Monday – at Asda in Kings Hill, and at West Kingsdown Library & Village Hall.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said it was receiving regular updates from South East Water.
A spokesperson said: “The company must take urgent steps to support residents and resolve the issue as soon as possible.”
It said the government was committed to protecting water customers “which is why we are forcing companies to double the compensation for supply issues”.
It said it was also “unlocking more than £104bn in private sector investment to build infrastructure, including reservoirs and new water pipes across the country”.
