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Kent and Sussex Face Water Crisis: 30,000 Homes Affected

1/13/2026

42 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

A major incident has been declared in Kent and Sussex due to ongoing water shortages affecting around 30,000 homes.
South East Water (SEW) cited Storm Goretti, burst mains, and a power cut as causes.
Kent County Council's Linden Kemkaran is coordinating the local response.
Campaign groups demand infrastructure audits and government intervention.
Ofwat is investigating SEW's supply resilience.

History

Historical Context

The severe drought in England during the summer of 1976, one of the driest seasons on record, prompted the government to implement water rationing and appoint a Minister for Drought. Over 1.5 million households faced restrictions, highlighting ongoing challenges in water management. Today, similar issues in Kent and Sussex, affecting 30,000 homes, underscore the need for improved infrastructure resilience, as investigated by Ofwat.

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Story summary

A major incident has been declared in Kent and Sussex due to ongoing water shortages affecting around 30,000 homes.
South East Water (SEW) cited Storm Goretti, burst mains, and a power cut as causes.
Kent County Council's Linden Kemkaran is coordinating the local response.
Campaign groups demand infrastructure audits and government intervention.
Ofwat is investigating SEW's supply resilience.

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