Mr Andrews apologised to customers in the East Grinstead area, stating: “In total, we believe that this issue is affecting in the region of 16,500 properties.
“Storm Goretti has affected our ability to treat the raw water at the normal rate at our main Sussex water treatment works. I can confirm that all water currently in our network is safe to drink.
“Coupled with the outbreak of burst water mains on our network due to the freeze/thaw conditions being experienced across Sussex, our drinking water storage levels in the East Grinstead area have now been exhausted.
“Regrettably we do not expect water supplies to start to return to normal until the end of the weekend.”
Bottled water was being delivered to people on South East Water’s priority register, said the firm.
It comes as residents in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, have been told they can expect continued disruption to their water supply until Tuesday.
Earlier this week, South East Water said cold weather had caused a “series of burst water mains,” leaving 6,500 customers in the area without any service.