Bottled water deliveries (Image Southern Water)
Southern Water is continuing to deliver bottled water to customers on its priority register and says water supplies in Thanet could potentially be affected on Tuesday (January 13).
Water deliveries began after a power outage at Southern Water supply works last night (January 10).
UK Power Networks experienced a power outage which affected key Water Supply Works (WSW), including Selling WSW and Wingham WSW.
Both of these sites produce water that helps fill up the Fleete Reservoir in Manston.
With Kent already experiencing high water demand recently, the power outage, combined with Storm Goretti and the freeze/thaw weather, has had an impact on a number of Southern Water reservoir levels across the region.
Southern Water says customers in Thanet are not currently impacted, and taps are flowing as normal. However, as a precautionary measure, they have made the deliveries to customers on the Priority Services Register who are supplied by the Fleete Reservoir.
Deliveries are taking place across 24 towns, including Ramsgate, Margate, Broadstairs, Birchington and Westgate-on-Sea.
Potential impact
The Selling and Wingham Water Supply Works have been running throughout today and the reservoir levels at Fleete are improving. While reservoir levels are lower than usual, it will increase day by day if the sites run as normal.
However, Southern Water says supply disruption for approximately 76,000 properties across Thanet remains a risk, although work on site and on the water network has delayed customer impact.
The firm adds: “There is a slight deficit in terms of supply and demand, and we are also supporting South East Water while they face challenges across Kent.
“Current projections are potential customer impact on Tuesday 13 January, but the situation is improving as long as our sites continue running.
“If we do see customer impact, we have plans in place to provide alternative water.
“As a precaution, we started delivering bottled water to customers on our Priority Services Register across Thanet. We’ve completed 35% of deliveries so far.
“If you are concerned about a vulnerable customer who needs access to bottled water as a priority, they can call us on 0330 303 0368.
“If needed, we’ve also identified three bottled water stations across Thanet, where customers could collect supplies if their supply was impacted. If stations are required, we will advise of their locations immediately.”
A Kent Water Supply website page can be founbd at: https://www.southernwater.co.uk/latest-news/water-supply-in-kent/