Thousands left without water due to high demand after heatwave

Thousands of people in Kent have been left without tap water after supply problems caused by the heatwave.

Households have been asked to use water for essential purposes after storage reservoirs near Whitstable reached critical levels, South East Water said.

As many as 8,000 in the area are without running water, with a further 7,000 facing intermittent or low pressure supply.

Matthew Dean, South East Water's head of operations control, said: "In preparation for this we have informed customers that while they have a supply they should put aside some water for essential use.

"We are continuing to ask customers in supply to use water for essential purposes only - for drinking, washing and cooking.

"We have bottled water collection stations already set up and are monitoring."

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(c) Sky News 2026: Thousands left without water due to high demand after heatwave