Households across Kent continue to be without water as providers battle to bring supplies under control.

As councils intervened and residents took to review sites to express their anger, a supply boss has placed the blame on locals – with South East Water putting out an email saying "one person's paddling pool is another family's drinking water".

In Kemsing, near Sevenoaks, bottled water stations reopened as technicians work to clear air locks from pipes in the area to allow supplies to return.

Sevenoaks District Council stepped in and began delivering 300 bottles out of its own supplies after becoming "frustrated" while waiting for the water company to set up a station.

Council leader Cllr Peter Fleming said that following "constant pressure" from the council, there were now stations at the High Street car park, as well as the library in West Kingsdown, where residents were also without water.

"My huge thanks to Cllr Emily Bulford and Cllr Lynda Harrison who went above and beyond last night delivering water across West Kingsdown to residents," he added.

This evening, South East Water said the majority of people in Kemsing should have water back on, while teams would continue to work through the night to resolve problems, with bottled supplies still available at the High Street station until 9pm and again tomorrow.

Ashford Borough Council has also taken action to provide for residents in Challock, Charing and Molash after "unacceptable" issues with water provisions.

A council spokesman said on twitter: "We are aware of the limited supplies of stocked water / grab bags at Challock Village Hall, which are vital in allowing local residents to at least have enough water for daily essential needs such as having a shower.

"The fact that this hasn’t been possible for many of you is clearly not acceptable so for those who would like to take up the offer, we’ve arranged with Freedom Leisure to provide free shower facilities at the Stour Centre."

However, South East Water operations director Douglas Whitfield issued a statement seeming to imply that residents were not using water responsibly.

He said: "We cannot now say this more strongly. Please can people use only the water they need to keep hydrated and clean?

"Unfortunately, despite our best efforts with our staff working very long hours we continue to have communities with intermittent supply of water

“Stop, think and act – just three words that can help return crucial water needed by our communities at this very difficult time.

"As current conditions stand, one person’s paddling pool is another family’s drinking water for a week.”

Residents in Challock and Molash, who have been without running water for five days, are beginning to report that supplies have been restored.

However, there was a warning when supplies do return to the two Ashford villages, they are likely to be 'intermittent', with residents asked to only use water for essentials like drinking and washing.

Residents in nearby Charing are also said to be affected, with reports that residents are having to drive five miles to Challock just to pick up bottled water.

The bottled water station at Challock will remain open until 9pm, South East Water added.

Households in Dunkirk, near Faversham, have been given a similar warning after first losing their supplies on Tuesday.

This afternoon, the water company said: "Our technicians are continuing to carefully remove air from the pipework and this is starting to be being resolved now. You may still see low pressure until this is completed."

"The reservoir is refilling, and our technicians are working carefully to remove air locks in the system so you may still experience low pressure until this is resolved."

Residents in several other west Kent villages are facing an anxious wait to see if 'replenished' supplies will last.

While people in Kemsing and Teston have been without water for a fifth day.

Regarding Kemsing, this afternoon South East Water said: "Customers should be starting to see their water supply return. Thank you for your patience while we continue to release air from the network.

"The bottled water station will remain open until 9pm this evening."

A statement from South East Water last night provided hope that taps would flow overnight for residents in Seven Mile Lane, Bow Hill, West Peckham, and Hadlow once airlocks were cleared.

But this afternoon, it said: "The reservoir is refilling, and our technicians are working carefully to remove air locks in the system so you may still experience low pressure until this is resolved."

Households in East Peckham and Yalding, who also lost their water on Tuesday, have already had their water turned back on, while Paddock Wood and Wateringbury should follow suit this morning.

Meanwhile, on shortages in West Kingsdown, the firm said: "Customers should be seeing their water supply return, but we'll be keeping our bottled water station will open until 9pm this evening. It will reopen tomorrow."

Just before 5pm, it added: "We're still working on removing air locks in the system around the area."