Nusrat Ghani, Conservative MP for Sussex Weald, has issued a statement in response to water outages affecting the constituency and the new hosepipe ban, in effect from 25 July 2026.
Nusrat Ghani said: “It is regrettable that South East Water has allowed the taps to run dry yet again, affecting hundreds of Sussex Weald constituents over the weekend. This unacceptable disruption coincides with the announcement of a new hosepipe ban.
I have called on South East Water to remember that any issue affecting Tunbridge Wells also affects residents across my constituency. I have received reports of service failures across Sussex Weald, including Heathfield, Broad Oak, Frant, Crowborough and East Hoathly, ranging from low pressure to dry taps. It would seem every time they adjust the water pressure, the network fails and homes end up without water.
As always, I am working with MPs and stakeholders from across Kent and Sussex affected by South East Water’s network issues in holding South East Water to account.
It worries me that proposals to build tens of thousands of new homes across the constituency will worsen the water supply crisis. I am also calling on Wealden District Council to press South East Water to explain how they will be able to accommodate all these new homes proposed in Wealden’s Plan.
As I do through every incident, I continue to stress to South East Water’s leaders the importance of having their Priory Services Registers up-to-date and unified across stakeholders to ensure that their vulnerable customers are not left stranded and water is delivered to them as a priority.
This is just another incident in South East Water's long line of continuous failures. I will continue to fight your corner and push for evidence from South East Water on what is being done to ensure that supply issues are addressed and prevented from happening through investment into their infrastructure. South East Water need to urgently step up and ensure the quality of service that their customers deserve and are paying for."
Nusrat Ghani MP's letter to South East Water's Chief Executive:
