Water supply was disrupted in the Cuckfield area of Mid-Sussex after a pipe burst, leaving two care homes, a doctors’ surgery, and around 100 elderly people without water for nearly 48 hours. Residents were frustrated with the delay in receiving bottled water from South East Water, as they were unable to make hot drinks, take showers, or flush toilets during this time.
The burst pipe initially affected 1,500 homes in Haywards Heath, with most having their water restored within a few hours. However, up to 50 properties, along with the care homes and pensioners in sheltered accommodation, were still without water on Friday night. Some residents were forced to rely on bottled water from supermarkets to meet their basic needs.
A nurse at one of the care homes expressed her concerns about the situation, highlighting the challenges of caring for vulnerable residents without access to water. She mentioned using wipes instead of washing hands and the difficulties of providing proper care in such conditions. Similarly, a 92-year-old man in the sheltered accommodation shared the struggles of not having water, especially when it came to daily tasks like washing up.
South East Water apologized for the inconvenience caused by the burst pipe and assured customers that supplies were being restored. The company’s incident manager explained that the delay in repairs was due to complexities at the site of the burst, but efforts were being made to resolve the situation as quickly as possible. Additionally, South East Water encourages individuals with health issues or disabilities to register with their priority services register to receive assistance during similar incidents in the future.
Overall, the water supply disruption in the Cuckfield area highlighted the importance of having contingency plans in place to support vulnerable populations during emergencies. Adequate communication, prompt response, and prioritization of those in need are crucial in ensuring the well-being of residents, especially in care homes and sheltered accommodation. By learning from this experience, authorities can better prepare for and mitigate the impact of such disruptions in the future.
