Whitstable MP urges South East Water to restore supply to Alexandra Road residents after days without water

The Isolated Street

Frustrating doesn’t begin to cover it. While neighbouring streets in the CT5 postcode area have had their water restored, Alexandra Road remains cut off from mains supply – a particularly galling situation for residents watching taps flow freely just streets away.

Duffield’s public appeal suggests standard communication channels haven’t resolved the issue. But her tweet ramps up pressure on the company to prioritise the remaining affected households.

Company Under Scrutiny

South East Water supplies drinking water to around 2.3 million people across Kent and neighbouring counties. The firm has faced regulatory scrutiny from Ofwat over performance on supply interruptions and customer service – hardly surprising given situations like this.

Under the Water Industry Act 1991, South East Water has legal duties to maintain water supply systems and keep customers informed about interruptions. The company operates a compensation scheme for unplanned outages lasting more than 12 hours. Customers experiencing extended outages are generally entitled to payments under Ofwat’s Guaranteed Standards Scheme, with additional compensation for each 24-hour period without supply.

Support for Affected Residents

When households are without water for extended periods, companies must provide alternative supplies such as bottled water distribution points. Vulnerable customers on the Priority Services Register should receive door-to-door deliveries – though whether this is happening on Alexandra Road remains unclear.

Canterbury City Council has limited direct control over water supply operations, which are managed by the regulated utility. However, the council may coordinate with South East Water during significant service disruptions.

The situation particularly affects vulnerable residents who may struggle with carrying bottled water or maintaining personal care routines. Local businesses relying on running water for food preparation or hygiene services also face operational challenges.

Key Takeaways

• Alexandra Road residents in Whitstable have been without water for several days while neighbouring streets are reconnected
• Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield has publicly pressed South East Water to restore supply urgently
• Affected households may be entitled to compensation under guaranteed standards schemes

What This Means for Kent Residents

South East Water customers experiencing water outages should check the company’s online Works & Outages map for updates on their area and expected restoration times. Residents without supply for more than 12 hours can claim compensation through the company’s guaranteed standards scheme – with additional payments for longer interruptions. Vulnerable households should contact South East Water to register for priority services, which include bottled water deliveries during extended outages. And local businesses affected by supply interruptions should document any losses for potential compensation claims.