Frustration mounts over Kent water supply disruption

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. Frustration mounts over Kent water supply disruption55 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleHsin-Yi Lo ,South EastandLili Sheppard ,Herne BayLili Sheppard/BBCGreg Lawrence says he has "no confidence" South East Water would resolve the problem soonResidents have expressed anger as water supply issues cause misery for thousands of people across Kent during soaring temperatures. South East Water (SEW) has blamed the demand for water amid the hot weather for causing outages at 18,000 properties, and has urged customers to use water for essential purposes only when they have supplies. Greg Lawrence from Whitstable, who was queuing at the Herne Bay bottle water station, told Radio Kent it was "very frustrating" to have supply issues during the hot weather.

SEW was approached for comment. Lili Sheppard/BBCSEW has opened a bottled water station in Herne Bay"We've had a wet May and several days of heat, and this crisis happens," Lawrence added. "We've had low pressure on Tuesday evening and I woke up today without water.

The Details

We can't do washing or flush the toilet, it's not nice especially in this heat. "He said he did not have "confidence" in SEW to resolve the problem soon, adding the company "didn't seem to have any contingency plans for extreme weather". "We had to wait in the queue for nearly one hour for them to open and there was one pallet of water left.

"Lawrence believed the nationalisation of water companies could be the answer to improved services. Areas impacted include the towns of Maidstone, Ashford, Herne Bay, Whitstable, and several Kent villages. Jeff Higgins, a jam maker for the Wooden Spoon in Wye, told Radio Kent that the company has not been able to make any jam since Monday.

"Our cooking vessels use steam and the alternative, which is gas cooking, is no good because we can't wash the pans afterwards," he said. Higgins added the pasteurisation process for the jam was also water-based. He told the the supply disruption has not only impacted the business' finances, but it was also "frustrating".

What Experts Say

"It has been extremely hot for a few days, and it seems to be the pumping stations that are breaking down ," he said. "The infrastructure does really need fixing. " Lili Sheppard/BBCLee Ferris, from Herne Bay, says SEW should have been "more prepared" for the hot weatherLee Ferris, from Herne Bay, a priority customer, says he has not had any water deliveries yet.

"I have diabetes and it's been so hard especially in this heat," he adds. "My water has been off for days and when it did come back on last night it was brown water running through. "Ferris added SEW should have been "more prepared", especially knowing hot weather was coming.

Lili Sheppard/BBCLucy from Herne Bay says she has not been able to provide fresh water for her petsLucy from Herne Bay, who has been queuing at the bottle station, said: "We can't shower, fill up sauce pans or the kettle.

The story has become one of the most prominent items on the global agenda.