independent.co.uk
Water Outage Impacts Elderly Residents
A burst water pipe in Cuckfield, UK, left hundreds of homes without water for nearly two days, severely impacting elderly residents in care homes and sheltered housing. Delayed response from South East Water drew criticism.
English
United Kingdom
HealthInfrastructureElderly CareWater CrisisCommunity ImpactService Failure
South East Water
Dave Harvey
- How did the water shortage impact the two care homes?
- The water disruption severely impacted two care homes, forcing staff to compromise on hygiene and care procedures for vulnerable residents. One nurse described the situation as "horrible" and unfair.
- What caused the water outage in Cuckfield, Mid-Sussex?
- A burst water pipe in Cuckfield, Mid-Sussex, left around 100 elderly people without water for almost two days. Two care homes, a doctor's surgery, and sheltered housing were among those affected.
- What was the residents' main complaint regarding the water outage?
- Residents were angry about the delayed response from South East Water, which took over 24 hours to deliver bottled water. The lack of water impacted basic hygiene and care, particularly for the elderly and vulnerable.
- How did the water cut affect a 92-year-old resident in sheltered accommodation?
- A 92-year-old registered blind man in sheltered accommodation highlighted the additional challenges posed by the water cut, especially concerning washing and uncertainty about its duration.
- What explanation did South East Water provide for the delayed restoration of water service?
- South East Water stated that the delay was due to complexities at the burst pipe site; the affected areas were directly connected to the broken pipe, making alternative water supply impossible. The company also suggested a priority services register for vulnerable customers.