Thousands still without water after pipes burst in Kent and Sussex

Bottled water stations have been set up amid water supply problems

Thousands of properties across Kent and Sussex are still without water or with low pressure after pipes burst due to snow and ice thawing rapidly.

Southern Water said 5,000 homes in the Ramsgate area would be restored soon, and 15,000 properties have had their supplies reconnected.

The firm said a burst pipe at its Rumfields reservoir had been repaired, but supplies would take time to return.

South East Water said about 15,000 still had "intermittent" supplies.

Both firms have apologised following criticism for the delays in restoring customers' water.

Areas affected include Tunbridge Wells, Crawley Down, Crowborough, Ardingly, East Grinstead, Broadstairs, Manston, Margate and Ramsgate.

"We are deeply sorry for the distress and inconvenience that this incident is causing," a Southern Water spokesperson said.

"Our teams worked through the night to fix the burst water main so that we can return supply to our customers.

"The repair is now complete, however it's going to take time to get water flowing throughout the network and supply returns."

A bottled water station at Dane Court Grammar School in Broadstairs reopened at 08:00 GMT on Tuesday, Southern Water said, while another at St George's School opened at about 10:00.

Water stations have been set up across affected areas

South East Water's incident director Douglas Whitfield warned customers in Tunbridge Wells could possibly be without water at Christmas.

"We are looking to resolve that by the end of this week," he said.

Mr Whitfield said 100m litres of extra water was to be pumped in to refill drained drinking water storage tanks, while repairs are made.

"We are extremely sorry for the disruption caused," he added.

"While we're working around the clock to repair leaks on our pipelines we're urging customers, businesses and landowners to check their properties, troughs and outside taps for leaks and fix them as quickly as possible."

'Completely ruined a celebration of life'

Marianne Amos hired a portable toilet for her mother's wake in Tunbridge Wells

Marianne Amos hired a portable loo for the 30 guests who attended her mother's wake at her home in Tunbridge Wells on Monday because she had no water.

Ms Amos said: "I told everyone to use the loos at the crematorium, but we got there and the toilets weren't working as they didn't have any water either.

"It has completely ruined what was a celebration of life, into a really sad event with a dreadful memory of her wake.

"You can't imagine how awful it is until you're going through it."

South East Water supplies drinking water to 2.2m people in the South East.

Mid Sussex Conservative MP Mims Davies criticised the repeated water supply problems experienced in her constituency.

"It's been a constant problem in extreme weather - cold, heat and storms - that we in Mid Sussex and beyond can't get regular service," she said.

"The infrastructure is simply not up to it with whole communities now inconvenienced."

The Assembly Hall theatre panto performance of Jack in the Beanstalk for Tuesday was cancelled because of no water at the venue in Tunbridge Wells.

South East Water said bottled water stations have been set up in areas including Tesco in Pembury, The Gearon Pavilion in East Grinstead, Haywards Heath Rugby Football Club in Cuckfield and Golf Club in Crowborough.

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