The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) has commenced an investigation into several loss of water supply incidents affecting customers in parts of Kent and Sussex, which have been reported by South East Water1. The regulator published notice of the investigation on 13 January 2026 at 14:19 GMT1.
The DWI is the drinking water quality regulator for England and Wales and enforces The Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 and the Security and Emergency Measures Direction 20221. It said the investigation will include consideration of the circumstances leading up to the loss of supply, the actions taken by the company during the event, and its communications with consumers1. The Inspectorate said it will take appropriate enforcement action, within its statutory powers, where required, to protect public health and to plan and prepare for loss of supply incidents1.
"The Inspectorate has commenced an investigation into the incidents"
The DWI set out the roles of other bodies: Ofwat is the economic regulator, responsible for licensing and financial regulation and overseeing the Guaranteed Standards of Service (GSS), and the Consumer Council for Water (CCW) is the independent voice for water consumers1. Water companies are responsible for the treatment, distribution and supply of drinking water, and for communicating with consumers during incidents, the DWI said1. Matters relating to leadership and governance of South East Water were raised in Parliament through an urgent question on 12 January 2026 at 16:15 hrs, the DWI noted, and it said it will cooperate with any requests by the EFRA Committee1.
The DWI's notice does not state how many customers were affected, which areas within Kent and Sussex lost supply, or when the incidents occurred; these details have not been reported in the notice1. No findings from the investigation have been published1.
Why it matters for households
The investigation concerns households in parts of Kent and Sussex served by South East Water who lost supply1. The DWI directs consumers within the affected areas to follow the advice provided by South East Water and to contact South East Water in the first instance if they require further information or wish to raise concerns1. The DWI investigates all drinking water quality and supply events notified to it under the Information Direction, and will take enforcement action where there is sufficient evidence that a company has failed to meet its legal obligations, in line with its published Enforcement Policies1. The outcome of the investigation, and any enforcement action, has not been announced1. Households can check whether a supply problem is known in their area using the guide on how to check if there is an outage in your area, and the supply interruption checklist sets out the practical steps for a loss of supply. Background on how drinking water is regulated, including the roles of the DWI, Ofwat, CCW and DWQR, is set out in the guide to who checks drinking supplies.
What happens next
The DWI has not given a timetable for the investigation1. It said it will take appropriate enforcement action within its statutory powers where required, and will cooperate with any requests by the EFRA Committee1. Further information on the parliamentary urgent question of 12 January 2026 can be viewed via Parliamentlive.tv, according to the DWI1.
Who Checks Drinking Water
Supply Interruption Checklist
Check for an Outage
