Tunbridge Wells

Tunbridge Wells, a town in Kent, England, has recently faced significant disruption due to repeated water supply failures. These outages, impacting thousands of homes, are attributed to South East Water (SEW). The area has experienced multiple incidents, including burst pipes caused by storms and cold weather, a failure at the Pembury water treatment centre, and the accidental addition of incorrect chemicals to the water supply. These events have left residents without water for extended periods, forcing school closures and impacting daily life. The severity of the situation has prompted calls for regulatory action, with the environment secretary suggesting a review of SEW's operating license. The regulator, Ofwat, is investigating whether SEW breached its obligations. The ongoing water crisis highlights concerns about SEW's infrastructure and management, raising questions about the reliability of water services in the Tunbridge Wells area.