The water shortage issue continues as residents are still reporting a lack of pressure despite South East Water fixing a burst pipe.

Yesterday households in Tunbridge Wells were left without water from the early hours of the morning after a mains pipe had burst in Halls Hole Road.

Schools were forced to close and people were bulk buying bottled water from supermarket shelves.

Marianne Amos was without water for 11 days over Christmas and the issue has struck yet again.

She said: “I am actually livid we are still having water problems in this area when South East Water has had six months to fix the problem.

“They know this is an ongoing issue. Communication has been very poor, my road has signed up for the text alerts but people receive them at different times and we don’t know if it is a new issue or an ongoing one.

“I got a message this morning saying we had three water leaks, why it came this morning i don’t know so I assume it was a new one.

Marianne’s water has returned today but she is waiting with baited breath for the next issue.

Nadine Cowell was another resident without water yesterday.

She said: “I’m so frustrated and it has had such an impact on the whole family and this morning had been very stressful indeed.

“It’s just really frustrating knowing you can’t get on with your everyday life.

“my 10-year-old daughter has hayfever and she woke up this morning with her eyes all clogged up and she just wanted to wash her face but we just had no means to.”

Yesterday, South East Water released a poster asking people to use water more wisely but it has been hit with criticism on Twitter from customers.

Laura Gibson wrote: “Our children are off school today because of a burst water main. That has nothing to do with consumption, careful as we are anyway.

“Given this problem was also in December too in this area, it’s a shame seven months have passed without reinforcing infrastructure. Shame on you.”

Lizzie Norman said: “No one in our village can turn on their taps or flush the toilet so I can safely say we are not the the problem here.

“Stop blaming your customers, the people who put money in your pockets, for your own failures. You’re a disgrace.”

Marianne agreed with those voicing their concerns.

She said: “I think they’re blaming the consumers for this issue.

“Children are at school during the week so shortage from Monday to Thursday shouldn’t be a paddling pool issue.

“I think if they’re charging to supply us with water we should be getting it through.”

The water company said it had fixed the problem but today residents are still reporting issues with their pressure.

South East Water updated their website today at 1.15pm, stating: “We're sorry to our customers that have water supply issues.

“We're continuing to try and build up our treated water levels, so it's important to use water for essential purposes only.”

Residents in and around Headcorn have also reported being without for 36 hours with artist Dawn Bendick saying she last had running taps at 7am on Tuesday.

She said: “It’s horrible, the website isn’t giving us any information and when you call you can’t get through to anybody.

“Some of the frustration as well is they’re posting ways to help but why ask for our help when we aren’t even getting water.”

South East Water has said the issue in Headcorn was due to an air lock which it says has been fixed.

People in Staplehurst and Biddenden are also experiencing low pressure due to issues with high demand and lack of supply brought on from the bout of hot weather.

The water company added: “We're sorry to customers in the Biddenden and Staplehurst areas who are experiencing no water or low water pressure.

“The demand for water is currently higher than the amount we can treat and supply. We're asking our customers to use water for essential use only while we build up our storage reserves.

Southern Water has also released a plea today to ask for customers to use water wisely.

The company has recorded a 15% increase on demand across its system from what it should be at this time in the year – equalling up to 14 olympic size swimming pools.

It said: “Although our reservoirs and groundwater sources are currently in a good position, if demand continues to stay at these extremely high levels and the dry weather continues, this will impact our ability to keep up with demand by treating water fast enough. It can also put added strain on pipes.

“That is why we are asking our customers to help us make sure there is enough water to go round in the weeks and months to come by using water wisely.”

Claremont primary in Banner Farm Rd, and St James’ Primary in Sandrock Road, were forced to close but have confirmed today they have reopened with water returning.

A bottle station set up in the Headcorn Aerodrome on Tuesday is still in use today with its opening hours between 9.30am and 9pm.