Hastings Faces Potential Water Outage on Christmas Eve Due to Burst Pipe
Published 23 December 2025
Highlights
- Southern Water warns of potential water outages in Hastings due to a burst mains pipe, affecting thousands of households.
- Emergency bottled water is being delivered to vulnerable residents, with two large water stations set to open as a precaution.
- MP Helena Dollimore expresses frustration over repeated infrastructure failures and prioritizes resident protection and business support.
- Residents are urged not to stockpile water to prevent exacerbating the situation, as repairs continue overnight.
- Previous incidents highlight ongoing issues with Southern Water's infrastructure, raising concerns about long-term solutions.
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Rewritten Article
Hastings Faces Potential Water Outage on Christmas Eve Due to Burst Pipe
Thousands of residents in Hastings, East Sussex, are bracing for a possible water outage on Christmas Eve after a burst mains pipe threatened the local water supply. Southern Water has issued a warning that households may begin losing water from the evening of December 24, as efforts to repair the damaged pipe continue.
Emergency Measures and Community Response
In response to the crisis, Southern Water has initiated emergency bottled water deliveries to approximately 15,000 vulnerable residents in the affected postcodes, including TN31, TN33, TN34, TN35, TN36, TN37, and TN38. The company plans to open two large bottled water stations on Wednesday as a precautionary measure. "We are taking these measures as a precaution against a worst-case scenario and impact on supply tomorrow evening," said Tim McMahon, Southern Water's managing director for water.
Hastings MP Helena Dollimore has voiced her frustration over the situation, emphasizing the need to protect residents and support local businesses during this critical time. "A burst pipe has left our town with a limited water supply, and this means there could be an outage tomorrow," she stated. Dollimore has urged Southern Water to expedite the opening of water stations and ensure direct deliveries to those on the priority services list.
Infrastructure Concerns and Historical Context
This incident is not isolated, as Hastings has previously experienced water outages due to aging infrastructure. In May 2024, a similar burst pipe left residents without water for four days. The affected pipes have been identified as "aged assets prone to failure," raising concerns about Southern Water's long-term infrastructure management.
Residents have been advised not to stockpile water, as this could worsen the situation. Southern Water has deployed a fleet of tankers ready to inject water directly into the network if necessary. The company continues to work overnight to repair the burst pipe located in a wooded area north of Hastings.
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Scenario Analysis
The current water crisis in Hastings underscores the urgent need for Southern Water to address its aging infrastructure. If the repairs are not completed swiftly, residents may face significant disruptions during the holiday season. The repeated failures of the water supply system could lead to increased scrutiny from regulators and pressure on Southern Water to invest in long-term solutions.
MP Helena Dollimore's call for accountability may prompt further investigations into Southern Water's infrastructure management and financial priorities. The company's recent controversies, including a spill of plastic beads on local beaches, have already drawn public criticism. Moving forward, Southern Water may need to prioritize infrastructure upgrades to restore public confidence and prevent future crises.
Thousands of residents in Hastings, East Sussex, are bracing for a possible water outage on Christmas Eve after a burst mains pipe threatened the local water supply. Southern Water has issued a warning that households may begin losing water from the evening of December 24, as efforts to repair the damaged pipe continue.
Emergency Measures and Community Response
In response to the crisis, Southern Water has initiated emergency bottled water deliveries to approximately 15,000 vulnerable residents in the affected postcodes, including TN31, TN33, TN34, TN35, TN36, TN37, and TN38. The company plans to open two large bottled water stations on Wednesday as a precautionary measure. "We are taking these measures as a precaution against a worst-case scenario and impact on supply tomorrow evening," said Tim McMahon, Southern Water's managing director for water.
Hastings MP Helena Dollimore has voiced her frustration over the situation, emphasizing the need to protect residents and support local businesses during this critical time. "A burst pipe has left our town with a limited water supply, and this means there could be an outage tomorrow," she stated. Dollimore has urged Southern Water to expedite the opening of water stations and ensure direct deliveries to those on the priority services list.
Infrastructure Concerns and Historical Context
This incident is not isolated, as Hastings has previously experienced water outages due to aging infrastructure. In May 2024, a similar burst pipe left residents without water for four days. The affected pipes have been identified as "aged assets prone to failure," raising concerns about Southern Water's long-term infrastructure management.
Residents have been advised not to stockpile water, as this could worsen the situation. Southern Water has deployed a fleet of tankers ready to inject water directly into the network if necessary. The company continues to work overnight to repair the burst pipe located in a wooded area north of Hastings.
What this might mean
The current water crisis in Hastings underscores the urgent need for Southern Water to address its aging infrastructure. If the repairs are not completed swiftly, residents may face significant disruptions during the holiday season. The repeated failures of the water supply system could lead to increased scrutiny from regulators and pressure on Southern Water to invest in long-term solutions.
MP Helena Dollimore's call for accountability may prompt further investigations into Southern Water's infrastructure management and financial priorities. The company's recent controversies, including a spill of plastic beads on local beaches, have already drawn public criticism. Moving forward, Southern Water may need to prioritize infrastructure upgrades to restore public confidence and prevent future crises.
