Calls for South East Water CEO to step down following water shortage in Tunbridge Wells.

The chief executive of South East Water is facing increasing calls to resign as residents of Tunbridge Wells confront the possibility of a second consecutive week without safe drinking water.

Mike Martin, the Liberal Democrat MP for Tunbridge Wells, criticized David Hinton, stating the company's recent failures are beyond unacceptable. He recalled previous water shortages in the town during Christmas three years ago and insisted that no lessons had been learned. David Hinton must resign immediately; his role has become untenable, Martin added.

Labour MP Henry Tufnell, a member of the environment select committee, echoed these concerns, saying: Greater accountability is required in the water sector. If he is not delivering results, he should step down.

The disruption stems from issues at a Kent water treatment facility, leaving around 24,000 homes in Tunbridge Wells without running water for several days. While supply is gradually returning, residents are still required to boil water for drinking and cooking.

Despite receiving a 456,000 salary last year, Hinton has not publicly addressed the situation, instead dispatching junior managers to handle media inquiries.

Alistair Carmichael, chair of the committee, criticized what he called exceptionally poor leadership and highlighted a broader systemic problem in the water industry, noting the lack of accountability and senior executives reluctance to engage with affected communities.

Hinton, 58, has spent his career in the water sector and has been with South East Water since 2000, assuming the CEO position in 2020. His base salary is 400,000 following a 30% increase last year, and his LinkedIn profile lists expertise in water quality.

The ongoing outage has forced many local businesses to close, with some owners considering legal action for compensation. Julian Leefe-Griffiths, owner of the Tunbridge Wells Hotel, stated: The only way to make these utility companies accountable is through a class action. He also called on Hinton to demonstrate leadership and address the crisis directly.

Sarah Moore, a lawyer at Leigh Day, confirmed that affected business owners could have a valid case, emphasizing that paying for a service that is not delivered provides grounds for legal recourse.

Under Ofwat guidelines, households and businesses can claim 50 for the first day without water and 50 for each additional day until service is restored, potentially totaling millions in payouts. However, Leefe-Griffiths argued that this compensation falls short of covering actual losses, estimating his hotel has lost 40,000 to 50,000 due to canceled bookings.

Bianca Omer, manager of the Tonbridge Wells bar Rocca, reported losses of 15,000 to 20,000 and expressed willingness to join any class action against South East Water.

The company attributes the disruption to a faulty batch of chemicals at the treatment plant and has so far declined to comment on potential legal actions, stating its focus remains on resolving the Tunbridge Wells water issues.

Author: Lucas Grant