Up to 3,200 homes have been left without water after a burst main caused major disruption, while a separate leak sent water gushing from beneath a pavement.
The first incident affected parts of Tonbridge, where customers experienced low water pressure or no water after a burst water main.
Water from a burst main flooded part of the road near Shipbourne Road in Tonbridge, leaving the carriageway under several inches of water. Picture: Nick Crisby
Photos showed water pouring across Shipbourne Road, with part of the carriageway transformed into what appeared to be a shallow lake.
South East Water said it was alerted to the burst on a large trunk main at about 7.30am.
The company said the incident had caused significant surface water flooding on the road, leaving some customers with low water pressure or no water while engineers assessed the damage and prepared to carry out repairs.
Kent county councillors for Tonbridge, Mark Hood and Paul Stepto, said they were aware of the situation and urged residents to be patient while crews worked to restore supplies.
Water gushes from beneath the pavement on Albany Terrace in Chatham after residents reported the leak. Picture: Tony Degiorgio
South East Water said the burst happened on a large pipe supplying drinking water to the town at 7.15am.
The company said it was working to reduce the number of affected customers by changing the way water flows around its network.
South East Water incident manager Robert Anthony-Scorse said: “We’re very sorry to customers in the Tonbridge area who have low pressure or no water following a burst on a large pipe which supplies drinking water to the town this morning.
“Up to 3,200 customers are currently impacted, however we’re working to reduce that figure by changing the way water flows around our network of pipes in the town.”
The company said it was actively identifying customers on its Priority Services Register who may be affected and unable to collect water, while also assessing suitable locations for a bottled water station.
Earlier, Mr Anthony-Scorse appealed for patience after a member of staff was verbally abused while responding to the incident.
“A member of our team has already experienced verbal abuse from members of the public this morning, so as you share this message with your local networks, please could you ask people to be respectful as our staff are working hard to resolve this serious issue,” he said.
Kent county councillors for Tonbridge, Mark Hood and Paul Stepto, said they were aware of the situation and urged residents to be patient while engineers worked to restore supplies.
Meanwhile, residents in Albany Terrace, Chatham, reported a separate water leak.
Video recorded by resident Tony Degiorgio shows water gushing from beneath the pavement, creating a fountain-like jet.
Tony said residents first noticed the leak on Friday morning (July 31)..
“We noticed it yesterday morning and a few residents called and reported it,” he said.
Southern Water has been contacted for comment about the Chatham incident.