EXCLUSIVE
by Anna White
awhite@thekmgroup.co.uk

Thousands of people left without water will not receive any compensation.

About 7,000 homes in Maidstone lost access to water when a main pipe burst in Sutton Road, Langley.

Supplies did not resume for many until 24 hours later last Thursday but despite the long wait, South East Water said it was unlikely to offer any gestures of goodwill to affected customers.

At least 1,000 bottles of water were delivered to some of the area’s 102 households registered with company’s Service Plus scheme for vulnerable people.

Coxheath Health Clinic and the Ambulance Control Centre, both in Heath Road, received large deliveries.

Pipes were re-routed to serve the affected area but an estimated 6,890 homes in Langley, Parkwood, Coxheath, East Farleigh and Yalding, were left to fend for themselves until the fault was repaired.

Tesco Extra in Tovil and convenience stores completely sold out of water after the pipe burst outside Langley Park Golf Driving Range, nearly two weeks ago.

A spokeswoman for the water company said it is unlikely it will offer any compensation. The firm has no legal obligation to do so as the pipe was fixed within 48 hours.

She added that they would have installed an alternative supply if the shortage had exceeded 24 hours.

Aimee -Meadows, 26, of Wallis Avenue, Parkwood, said: “I was really surprised there wasn’t any sort of emergency water supply available. I’ve got two young children and luckily I bought a few bottles before the shop sold out but what about the elderly people or mums with babies who didn’t get to the shop in time? There should have been something.”

Simon Robertson, head of distribution, said: “On behalf of South East Water I would like to say sorry for the disruption and thank our customers who were affected by the burst water main last week.

"We found everyone to be very patient and understanding while we worked to repair the water main and we are very grateful for their support.”