A COMPANY has apologised to more than 4,000 customers who were left without water when two mains pipes burst.

South East Water had to hand out water bottles in Crowborough and Jarvis Brook on Thursday morning.

The company said the problem had affected the drinking water supplies of 4,400 customers. The pipes burst early on Wednesday morning in Five Ashes Road near Rotherfield and Luxford Road in Crowborough.

The company said repairs have now been completed, and that supplies were restored to most customers overnight.

But some areas around Crowborough and Jarvis Brook were still without water on Wednesday morning. And the company said it was still working to remove airlocks and looking into reports of a further burst pipe.

South East Water said: “We’re really sorry about this and we’re working to remove airlocks in our extensive and complex pipeline network in the area and investigating a report of a further burst water main in the area.

“We are also in the process of setting up new bottled water stations in the area and will provide an update on locations once they are open.

“You can register for text and email updates on the progress of this repair using our interactive map”. This is available at https://inyourarea.digdat.co.uk/southeastwater.