South East Water CEO Resigns Following Supply Disruptions
The chief executive of South East Water, David Hinton, has resigned after the company faced severe criticism over water supply disruptions affecting tens of thousands of people in Kent and Sussex. The outages caused significant inconvenience and hardship for residents and businesses in the region.
Details of the Resignation and Company Response
South East Water announced that David Hinton decided to step down but will remain in his role temporarily to ensure an orderly transition over the summer period. The company stated that Hinton felt his continued presence had become a distraction from the company’s priority of delivering a resilient water supply to its customers.
The resignation came shortly after Chris Train, the chair of South East Water, also stepped down following a critical report by a parliamentary select committee. Lisa Clement, the interim chair, expressed gratitude for Hinton’s years of service and emphasized the need for positive change at the company to prioritize customers’ needs and prevent further supply outages.
Background of the Water Supply Issues
South East Water experienced multiple supply disruptions in late 2023 and early 2024. In November and December, approximately 24,000 properties in Kent and Sussex suffered from water outages or low pressure. Just weeks later, up to 30,000 customers were affected again.
Most of Tunbridge Wells and nearby areas faced low water pressure or no water between late November and early December due to a disinfection problem at Pembury Water Treatment Works. Residents were advised to boil tap water for nine days after supply was restored. Additional outages occurred in January, impacting areas including East Grinstead, Maidstone, and Canterbury. The company attributed these later issues to Storm Goretti and cold weather conditions.
Criticism and Investigations
The water supply problems led to widespread criticism from local MPs and residents. Several Members of Parliament called for Hinton’s resignation, citing poor leadership and accountability at South East Water. Alistair Carmichael MP, chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, described the resignation as the right decision.
The committee’s report, published in early May, highlighted poor leadership, weak governance, and a culture lacking accountability within the company. The Drinking Water Inspectorate described the November incident as “foreseeable and preventable,” pointing to longstanding weaknesses in management, monitoring, maintenance, and preparedness.
Regulator Ofwat is investigating South East Water over the recent incidents and is consulting on a potential £22 million fine related to separate supply disruptions between 2020 and 2023. The Drinking Water Inspectorate is also conducting its own investigation.
Impact on Residents and Businesses
The outages had a significant impact on local communities and businesses. Tunbridge Wells butcher Richard Hards reported having to close his shop for about a week in November, resulting in thousands of pounds in lost revenue. Alex Green, leader of the Tunbridge Wells Business Improvement District, called for new leadership to prevent future incidents.
Care home manager Jason Denny described the challenges of managing water supply for more than 30 residents during the outages, requiring the use of thousands of bottled water daily. Local business owner Murat Askin said residents were left without basic essentials for days and welcomed Hinton’s resignation as a signal that action is now expected rather than just apologies.
Next Steps for South East Water
South East Water has stated that it has begun engineering works and operational changes in response to the recent supply issues. The company serves customers across Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, and Berkshire, and aims to restore confidence by improving its infrastructure and management practices.
Interim chair Lisa Clement emphasized the importance of prioritizing customers’ needs and ensuring that supply outages do not recur. The company and regulators continue to work on addressing the causes of the disruptions and implementing measures to prevent future problems.