Residents urged to check records of water supply

Southern Water agreed to compensate residents in the town

Residents are being urged to check their records of a water outage in May 2024 to ensure they receive the correct amount of compensation.

Southern Water agreed compensation for residents and businesses in Hastings expected to run into millions of pounds, in addition to a £1m goodwill fund for the town.

John Bownas, manager of Love Hastings, said some residents who had already received compensation were receiving about half of what they expected.

A Southern Water spokesperson previously said customer compensation was intended to underline the company's "commitment to Hastings" and its community.

Landlord of The Clown in Hastings Victor Glanville said the pub had to shut for an entire weekend, losing between £2,500 and £3,000 over the bank holiday.

He believes his pub was missed off a list of businesses to be compensated.

Mr Glanville said: "They just don't seem to know what they are doing and that lack of communication is always worrying."

'There is no excuse'

Resident Wendy Weaver is on the priority services register and was given bottled water.

She is still waiting for compensation from Southern Water.

She said: "It makes me very frustrated that this hasn't been addressed and paid already because it's getting on for a year now.

"And there is no excuse why it hasn't been taken care of - none whatsoever."

An estimated 32,500 properties were affected in May 2024 after a burst water main in remote woodland disrupted supplies.

Some were left without a supply for up to six days.

MP Helena Dollimore said she would keep up pressure on the water company to make sure that everyone received "their fair share".

She added: "In February, the CEO of Southern Water finally agreed to compensate Hastings residents at a rate of £50 for every 12 hours they were without water.

"I will make sure they keep their promise."

Hastings landlord Victor Glanville said his pub had to shut for the bank holiday weekend

Mr Bownas said a Love Hastings survey of those who had already received payments showed some getting between £50 and £100 less than they expected, based on how long they thought their supply had been interrupted for.

He said: "Our recommendation is for people to check with neighbours and look back at text and social media messages they may have sent at the time which might help back up their claims for more compensation."

"Goodwill" credits had been added to business accounts, being £150 for shops and offices and £1,500 for pubs, hotels, and cafes, Mr Bownas said, adding that a lot of time had been spent ensuring all were paid.

He added: "It was only recently that in talking to shops and pubs we found that quite a few had been missed out, and after raising this with Southern Water they reviewed their records and identified 462 who hadn't received anything so far."