A motion accusing a water company of a “serious lack of coordination” after shortages in the hot weather is being brought before a council.
Homes in Whitstable and Herne Bay were left with dry taps in 30-degree weather earlier this month.
South East Water said the issues were due to high demand, which drained its reservoirs and storage tanks.
At Canterbury City Council’s (CCC) cabinet meeting next Thursday, a motion brought by Cllr Naomi Smith and seconded by Cllr Rachel Carnac will be discussed.
It comes as MP for the district Rosie Duffield raised concerns about the proposed Brooklands Farm development near Whitstable, due to the pressure it could put on already stretched supplies.
The motion reads: “The serious and repeated disruption has exposed a serious lack of coordination and communication on South East Water’s part and a failure to keep Canterbury City Council and our communities properly informed.
“Council further notes the receipt of a letter from CEO, David Hinton, dated July 10, 2025, acknowledging the seriousness of recent outages, outlining contributing factors, and offering proposals for improved collaboration.
“While this response is welcome, the Council believes the scale and recurrence of failures justify public scrutiny and a structured process for ensuring accountability and transparency going forward.”
The disruption includes the Seasalter ward being without or with low water on the weekend of June 21 for 36 hours and then on July 2 till July 8.
Herne, Broomfield, and Beltinge had problems on June 30 and July 1, then areas in Sturry and Fordwich also suffered.
The company has since put in a hosepipe ban, saying demand for water has increased to the highest levels ever seen for this time of year.
Cllr Smith wants CCC to ask Mr Hinton to attend a public meeting on the issue, request that South East Water improves communication protocols during emergencies and invests in infrastructure, and invite the company to a formal scrutiny committee meeting within twelve months to report on progress.
The controversial 13500-home Brooklands Farm development was officially submitted to the council in May.
Rosie Duffield says she is concerned about the suitability of the site and cites the disruption to water supplies.
In a letter to CCC, she states: “South East Water have attributed this disruption to ‘unprecedented demand’ during hot weather, something that will only increase if 1350 new homes are built on this site.
“South East Water has struggled with water outages for a number of years. Such outages have only increased in frequency.
“Further housing developments at this location will add further pressure to the already crumbling water infrastructure systems, threatening the resilience of water supplies for existing residents in Whitstable and the surrounding villages.
“While I recognise the urgent need for new housing, this must not be at the expense of our local services and the utilities of existing residents.”
She also said she shares the concerns of local residents relating to biodiversity.
A primary and a separate SEND school are also lined up for the development in Chestfield.
And before a planning application was formally submitted, residents voiced their concerns, including Bagpuss star Emily Firmin.
The site comprises agricultural fields, an ancient woodland known as Longtye Wood, and Swalecliffe Brook, which divides the land into two parts.
The woods are home to “an abundance” of common ash, English oak and field maple flanking either side of the stream.
But Hallam has vowed to maintain a minimum 30-metre boundary between the ancient woodland and potential new development.
If plans progress, there will be new slip roads created on the A299, as well as entry via various locations along South Street and Chestfield Road.
