Home / Environment / Kent Village Fights Water Woes
Kent Village Fights Water Woes
3 Jul
Summary
- Residents struggle with low water pressure and supply issues.
- A farmer installed personal water tanks due to frequent outages.
- A hosepipe ban began on Friday, July 3, 2026, for Kent.
Residents in the Kent village of Ulcombe have convened to address persistent issues with their water supply provided by South East Water. Customers report frequent drops in water pressure and difficulty obtaining a consistent supply, particularly in higher elevations. One local farmer has resorted to installing his own water tanks to ensure availability.
The Ulcombe Water Watch group has been established to monitor and document these water outages, relaying the data to local authorities and the Member of Parliament. The group highlights that the problem is ongoing and more severe than anticipated, impacting daily life.
South East Water attributes the problems to increased demand during hot weather and cites water loss as a contributing factor. A recent survey by the Consumer Council for Water indicated widespread customer concern, with many individuals storing bottled water as a precaution.
Following a series of disruptions since November 2025, South East Water issued an apology to customers across Kent and Sussex. Critically, a hosepipe ban commenced on Friday, July 3, 2026, now affecting all properties served by the company within Kent.
