Repairs to a burst main are \u201cproving to be very complex\u201d and unlikely to be fixed until sometime overnight, leaving thousands without water.<\/p>\n
Up to 3,200 homes were left without water after the burst main caused major disruption, affecting parts of Tonbridge, where customers experienced low water pressure or no water.<\/p>\n
Water from a burst main flooded part of the road near Shipbourne Road in Tonbridge, leaving the carriageway under several inches of water. Picture: Nick Crisby<\/p>\n
Photos showed water pouring across Shipbourne Road, with part of the carriageway transformed into what appeared to be a shallow lake.<\/p>\n
South East Water said it was alerted to the burst on a large trunk main at about 7.30am.<\/p>\n
The company said the incident had caused significant surface water flooding on the road, leaving some customers with low water pressure or no water while engineers assessed the damage and prepared to carry out repairs.<\/p>\n
Kent county councillors for Tonbridge, Mark Hood and Paul Stepto, said they were aware of the situation and urged residents to be patient while crews worked to restore supplies.<\/p>\n
Water gushes from beneath the pavement on Albany Terrace in Chatham after residents reported the leak. Picture: Tony Degiorgio<\/p>\n
South East Water said the burst happened on a large pipe supplying drinking water to the town at 7.15am.<\/p>\n
The company said it was working to reduce the number of affected customers by changing the way water flows around its network.<\/p>\n
South East Water incident manager Robert Anthony-Scorse said this morning: “We’re very sorry to customers in the Tonbridge area who have low pressure or no water following a burst on a large pipe which supplies drinking water to the town this morning.<\/p>\n
“Up to 3,200 customers are currently impacted, however we’re working to reduce that figure by changing the way water flows around our network of pipes in the town.”<\/p>\n
The company said it was actively identifying customers on its Priority Services Register who may be affected and unable to collect water, while also assessing suitable locations for a bottled water station.<\/p>\n
Earlier, Mr Anthony-Scorse appealed for patience after a member of staff was verbally abused while responding to the incident.<\/p>\n
“A member of our team has already experienced verbal abuse from members of the public this morning, so as you share this message with your local networks, please could you ask people to be respectful as our staff are working hard to resolve this serious issue,” he said.<\/p>\n
In an update at 3pm, Mr Anthony-Scorse said: \u201cWe\u2019re continuing to restore supplies to customers affected by the burst water main in Shipbourne Road, Tonbridge this morning.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe number of customers without water or experiencing low pressure has now reduced to 2,564.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe burst happened at 7.15 this morning and repairs are underway but it\u2019s proving to be very complex and as a result we do not expect the pipe to be fixed until sometime overnight tonight.<\/p>\n
\u201cTwo bottled water stations will remain open until 10pm tonight at Sovereign Way East Car Park, Tonbridge, TN9 1QH, and Tonbridge Farm Sports Centre, Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge, TN10 3JF.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have identified all customers on our Priority Services Register who may be impacted by this burst and unable to collect water, and are actively delivering to those most vulnerable first.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am very sorry to everyone who has been impacted and fully understand the frustration this is causing.<\/p>\n
\u201cCustomers can keep up-to-date via our website: southeastwater.co.uk \u201c<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, residents in Albany Terrace, Chatham, reported a separate water leak.<\/p>\n
Video recorded by resident Tony Degiorgio shows water gushing from beneath the pavement, creating a fountain-like jet.<\/p>\n
Tony said residents first noticed the leak on Friday morning (July 31).<\/p>\n
“We noticed it yesterday morning and a few residents called and reported it,” he said.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson for Southern Water said: “Our teams are working to repair a burst main at Albany Terrace.<\/p>\n
“To support customers we are using tankers to inject water into the network. We are sorry for the disruption this is causing customers and we are working to restore supplies as quickly as possible.”<\/p>\n
Tonbridge MP Tom Tugendhat helped load water into cars at collection points – and was joined by the new chief exec of South East Water, John Halsall.<\/p>\n
How did you spend your Saturday? \u2014 Tom Tugendhat (@TomTugendhat) August 1, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n
I’ve been loading water into cars after the broken main on Shipbourne Road, Tonbridge, left thousands without water.
To be fair, the new @sewateruk<\/a> CEO was with me helping.
A welcome change in leadership, now we need a change in service. pic.twitter.com\/Dm0bP0kGQ8<\/a><\/p>\n