Water Supply in Kent latest update
Water supplies are running as normal and we are taking precautionary measures following Storm Goretti and a power outage in parts of Kent. We'll keep this page updated.
Your water supply is flowing as normal
Update on Water Supply in Kent - Tuesday 13 January 2026
We’re now in an improving position and producing more water than we need to meet demand, which is allowing us to fill our reservoirs and increase our resilience against outages at any of our sites. It has also allowed us to export additional water to South East Water to help them support their customers, though this does have an impact on how quickly we can build resilience.
What happens if something goes wrong?
In the event of any problems with any of our water production sites, we will attempt to move water around the network to keep you in supply. We will let you know as soon as possible if the situation deteriorates and you need to prepare.
Bottled water deliveries and stations remain on standby in case we need them, and we can begin deliveries or set up stations very quickly.
What if something changes?
Bottled water stations and deliveries remain on standby as a precaution and can be set up very quickly. If you know someone who is vulnerable and would need bottled water as a priority, please call us on 0330 303 0368.
We’ll continue to keep you updated on our Kent water supply webpage and our incident map if there are any significant updates.
Our teams are working across the region to manage ongoing potential water supply issues in Thanet, Sittingbourne, Medway Towns, and surrounding areas, following a recent power outage. and Storm Goretti. We are doing everything we can to keep your water flowing and are taking all precautionary steps to protect your supply and we want to reassure customers this is currently working.
There is currently no loss of supply for Southern Water customers in Kent.
Medway and Boxley
Teams are also out working on site at Matts Hill to safely restart operations gradually. Through these efforts, we have delayed any direct impact to customers, but the risk remains for properties in Boxley and parts of Medway (including Chatham, Rochester, Walderslade, Lordswood, Gillingham, Rainham, Hempstead, and Bredhurst) as demand is high right now. We are also supporting South East Water as they support their customers across Kent.
Thanet, Sittingbourne and surrounding areas
Reservoir levels at Fleete and Cromers Wood are improving and, at the moment, water is running as normal from your taps. Although there is still a risk of supply disruption for some properties, we are working hard to minimise any impact.
Taking precautionary action now
In the unlikely event any water supply is affected, we are putting plans in place to provide alternative water. As a precaution, we have teams out delivering bottled water to customers on our Priority Services Register in the affected areas.
If a wider customer supply issue occurs, bottled water stations will be opened as needed and we will provide information on locations here on this page.
Need extra support?
Join our Priority Services Register so we can help with your individual needs. Find out more and apply here.
Our teams will continue working overnight and we will update this page with the latest tomorrow morning.
Your water supply is flowing as normal
There is currently no loss of supply for Southern Water customers in Kent.
Recent events – Storm Goretti, freezing conditions, and a power outage in parts of Kent – have lowered levels in some drinking water storage reservoirs. This means there’s a higher risk of supply issues in the coming days, but we’re taking action now to do all we can to prevent that.
What we’re doing:
- Moving water around our network and using tankers to keep supplies stable.
- Delivering bottled water to customers on our Priority Services Register in areas most at risk, as a precaution.
Here’s what’s happening locally:
Medway & Boxley
- Heavy rain has made water too cloudy to treat (this is called “high turbidity”).
- We’re working 24/7 to fix this and keep taps flowing.
- No impact to customers right now.
- Bottled water delivered to Priority Services Register customers as a precaution.
Thanet
- A power outage last night affected sites that supply Fleete drinking water storage reservoir near Manston.
- No impact to customers right now.
- Bottled water deliveries started this morning, as a precaution, for Priority Services Register customers in Ramsgate, Margate, Broadstairs, Birchington, and Westgate-on-Sea.
Sittingbourne & surrounding areas
- The same power outage also affected Cromers Wood drinking water storage reservoir.
- No impact to customers right now.
- Bottled water delivered overnight as a precaution to Priority Services Register customers in Sittingbourne, Iwade, Borden, Bobbing, Kemsley, and nearby villages.
Need extra support?
Join our Priority Services Register so we can help with your individual needs. Find out more and apply here.
We’ll keep this page updated with the latest information.
We’re continuing to monitor water supplies across Kent following recent power issues and heavy rainfall. Southern Water customers are still in supply. Here’s the latest:
Thanet & Sittingbourne
Water supply sites across Thanet have had no major issues overnight, helping to keep Fleete and Cromers Wood Reservoirs topped up. Customers remain in supply and have not been affected by Saturday’s UKPN power outage.
As a precaution, bottled water was delivered to customers on our Priority Services Register (PSR) over the weekend. Deliveries to Sittingbourne have now been completed, while those in Thanet are paused as we support South East Water with their bottled water deliveries in areas currently without water.
We’re also continuing to keep Cromer’s Wood Reservoir topped up, and customers in Sittingbourne remain unaffected by the power outage.
Medway & Boxley
We’ve started producing water from Matts Hill Water Supply Works to help top up local reservoirs. The site is being managed carefully due to high turbidity levels caused by recent heavy rainfall. Turbidity means the water can be too cloudy for treatment unless closely monitored.
Customers in Medway and Boxley remain in supply and have not experienced any outages. PSR customers also received precautionary bottled water deliveries over the weekend.
Taking Precautionary Action
We’re constantly assessing the situation, with high water demand across Kent and the knock-on effects of recent weather. We’ll keep you updated with any developments.
In the unlikely event any water supply is affected, we are putting plans in place to provide alternative water. As a precaution, we have teams out delivering bottled water to customers on our Priority Services Register in the affected areas.
If a wider customer supply issue occurs, bottled water stations will be opened as needed and we will provide information on locations here on this page.
Need Extra Support?
Join our Priority Services Register so we can help with your individual needs. Find out more and apply here.
Our teams will continue working overnight and we will update this page with the latest tomorrow morning.
Update on Water Supply in Kent - Monday 12 January 2026
We’re continuing to monitor water supplies across Kent following recent power issues and heavy rainfall. Southern Water customers are still in supply.
All affected sites are now running, meaning our network is stable. There continues to be no customer impact and taps are flowing as normal.
While water supply disruption remains a risk, it is becoming less likely. If sites continue to operate without interruption, we expect the situation to remain stable and improve as the week progresses.
Support for Vulnerable Customers
As a precaution, bottled water was delivered to some customers on our Priority Services Register (PSR). Deliveries are now paused, but water is available and ready to distribute if need.
If a wider customer supply issue occurs, bottled water stations will be opened as needed and we will provide locations here.
Need Extra Support?
Join our Priority Services Register so we can help with your individual needs. Find out more and apply here.
Our teams will continue working overnight and we will update this page with the latest tomorrow morning.