Key Takeaways
- Households in East Sussex experienced a loss of water supply on Christmas Day due to a problem with the Fairlight reservoir
- Southern Water blamed "very low levels" at the reservoir and reported that it had reached its final reserves
- Areas affected included TN34, TN35, TN37, and TN38, with customers living at higher elevations more likely to be impacted
- The incident follows a burst mains pipe in a woodland north of Hastings, which the company had attempted to fix before supplies cut out over Christmas
- Southern Water has deployed tankers to inject water into the network and the reservoir, and a bottled water station was open in Hastings on Christmas Day
Introduction to the Water Supply Issue
The Christmas Day water supply issue in East Sussex was a result of a problem with the Fairlight reservoir, which had reached its final reserves. Southern Water, the supplier, reported that the low levels at the reservoir were the cause of the disruption, which affected households in the TN34, TN35, TN37, and TN38 areas. Customers living at higher elevations were more likely to experience a loss of water supply, and the company apologized for the disruption, acknowledging the inconvenience it caused, especially during the holiday season.
Causes of the Water Supply Disruption
The incident followed reports of a burst mains pipe in a woodland north of Hastings, which Southern Water had attempted to fix before supplies cut out over Christmas. A short power outage on Thursday at Brede water supply works also affected the remaining levels in the Fairlight reservoir. This is not the first time that burst pipes have caused an outage in the area, as Hastings residents were left without water for four days in May 2024 after a pipe burst. The pipe had been flagged for replacement in 2007 but was never fixed, highlighting the need for improved maintenance and infrastructure in the area.
Response to the Water Supply Disruption
Southern Water has taken steps to address the issue, deploying a fleet of tankers to inject water into the network and the reservoir. The company reported that this process takes time, but gradual improvements were already being seen. A bottled water station was also set up in Pelham Place car park on Carlisle Parade in Hastings, which was open until 10pm on Christmas Day. The supplier advised customers to use water responsibly, as reservoir levels remained low and demand was very high. The problems are expected to be temporary, but the company is working to restore supplies as quickly as possible.
Political Response to the Water Supply Disruption
Helena Dollimore, the Labour MP for Hastings and Rye, expressed her anger and frustration at the situation, stating that Hastings was once again paying the price for Southern Water’s failures. She emphasized that the town’s water infrastructure was not fit for purpose after years of neglect and that the company must do better. Dollimore is pushing Southern Water to get the town back in supply as quickly as possible and to minimize the impact on residents by supplying bottled water and opening plenty of water stations. She also requested that the company supply extra water to pubs and restaurants, which are particularly busy during the holiday season.
Long-term Implications and Concerns
The water supply disruption on Christmas Day is not an isolated incident, as Hastings has experienced multiple issues with its water infrastructure in recent years. The burst pipe that caused the outage in May 2024 had been flagged for replacement in 2007, but was never fixed, highlighting the need for improved maintenance and investment in the area’s infrastructure. The incident has also raised concerns about the company’s ability to manage its assets and respond to emergencies. Southern Water must take steps to address these concerns and ensure that its infrastructure is fit for purpose to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Conclusion and Next Steps
In conclusion, the water supply disruption on Christmas Day in East Sussex was a result of a problem with the Fairlight reservoir, which had reached its final reserves. Southern Water has taken steps to address the issue, but the incident highlights the need for improved maintenance and investment in the area’s infrastructure. The company must work to restore supplies as quickly as possible and take steps to prevent similar incidents in the future. The political response to the incident has emphasized the need for Southern Water to do better and to prioritize the needs of its customers. As the situation continues to unfold, it is essential that the company takes a proactive approach to addressing the concerns of its customers and ensuring that its infrastructure is fit for purpose.
