South East Water to pay £30.5m over supply failures and licence breach

UK water regulator Ofwat has ordered South East Water to pay £30.5m in penalties and compensation following multiple supply interruptions and a licence breach.

• Ofwat concluded an investigation into supply failures between 2020 and 2023 that left more than 286,000 people without water, resulting in a £22m fine.
• A second investigation began in early 2026 after supply interruptions in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, and Sussex between November 2025 and January 2026 affected up to 70,000 homes.
• A third investigation found South East Water breached its licence condition after Moody’s downgraded its credit rating in May 2026.
• Ofwat will appoint an independent monitor to review South East Water’s performance improvement plan and turnaround efforts.