A serious leak has flooded the centre of Charing this evening, forcing the closure of the high street and sending a steady stream of water through the village.
The flow was seen running from just before Market Place, down the High Street, along Old Ashford Road and onto the A20.
Photos taken by KentOnline show significant water on the road, with pavements submerged in places.
South East Water workers were on site and it is understood the supply has been turned off while the issue is dealt with, cutting off the supply to some homes or causing low water pressure.
South East Water says the leak has been caused by a burst main.
It said in a statement shortly before 6pm: “We’re really sorry to those of you who are experiencing low water pressure or no water at the moment.
“This has been caused by a burst main which we are trying to fix as quickly as we can.
“As soon as the repairs have been completed, your water will return to normal.
“To allow for the safe repair of the burst pipe, a road closure will also need to be put in place before we can start work.
“We would like to apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
“We can’t say just yet how long this will take but please rest assured we’re doing everything we can to get you back up and running as soon as possible.”
Meanwhile, in nearby Smarden, a second leak has sparked concerns from residents.
A post on the Smarden Community Facebook page reported an “overflow at cricket pavilion and raw sewage in the ditch and footpath.”
The nature of the spillage has not yet been confirmed, but the smell in the area has raised fears it may involve wastewater.
KentOnline has contacted both South East Water and Southern Water for further information.
