Thousands of households in Hastings are facing the possibility of a Christmas without water following a burst mains pipe. Southern Water has warned that water supply could begin to fail from the evening of Christmas Eve as the system experiences rapid losses.
Emergency Response Underway
The company began dispatching emergency bottled water deliveries to vulnerable households on Tuesday evening. Residents have been advised to conserve water and specifically told not to stockpile supplies, as this could exacerbate the problem. Southern Water stated that, depending on repair progress, supply loss could begin Wednesday evening, December 24th.
The burst pipe was discovered Tuesday morning in a woodland area north of Hastings, and repair crews are working to restore service before the Christmas holiday. This incident is not isolated; Southern Water has previously identified multiple pipes in the Hastings area as “aged assets prone to failure.”
Political Response and Concerns
Helena Dollimore, the Labour MP for Hastings, Rye and the Villages, expressed frustration with Southern Water’s repeated failures. She stated her priority is protecting residents and local businesses. Dollimore has urged Southern Water to establish numerous water stations, prioritize deliveries to vulnerable individuals, and provide additional water to local businesses like pubs, restaurants, and hotels.
Dollimore has previously criticized the company’s practice of distributing large dividends to shareholders while neglecting infrastructure investment. Southern Water also recently faced scrutiny following a spill of hundreds of millions of tiny plastic beads from one of its treatment centers onto Camber Sands and Hastings beaches.
Southern Water’s Statement
Tim McMahon, Southern Water’s managing director for water, said the company is taking precautionary measures. He stated, “Our teams will fix the burst main as quickly as possible.” McMahon also reiterated the request for customers to avoid excessive water use and refrain from stockpiling.
What Happens Next?
If repairs are not completed swiftly, a significant number of households could experience water outages beginning Wednesday evening. Southern Water’s ability to restore service will depend on the complexity of the repair and any unforeseen challenges encountered by the crews. A prolonged outage could necessitate the widespread distribution of bottled water and the establishment of public water stations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I definitely lose water?
Southern Water has warned that households “could start losing supply” Wednesday evening, December 24th, but this is dependent on the progress of repairs.
What is Southern Water doing to help?
Southern Water is dispatching emergency bottled water deliveries to vulnerable households and asking customers to conserve water. They are also working to repair the burst main “as quickly as possible.”
Has this happened before in Hastings?
Yes, Hastings residents were left without water for four days in May 2024 due to a burst pipe that had been flagged for replacement in 2007.
As Hastings prepares for the Christmas holiday, how might this situation impact community gatherings and traditions?