A water company has come under fire after bringing in a hosepipe ban, despite failing to fix a large leak first reported nine months ago.
The problem, outside The Heathside Centre in Coxheath, was first reported in October and is now reported to resemble a “swamp”.
Peter Colmer says the flow of water is around 6in deep and estimates 100 litres of water are being wasted a day.
The 76-year-old expressed frustration at the water company’s plea to save water, all the while litres are “gushing” out of daily.
It comes as South East Water announced a hosepipe ban for its customers in Kent and Sussex last week, due to shortages.
Peter said: “It’s like a swamp. It’s going constantly, and it’s green and smelly.”
Nick Bell, head of supply at South East Water, said the leak had first been reported to them in October, but due to the “complexity” of the leak, the repair has been aborted on two occasions.
While it has been ongoing since last autumn, Peter, who lives in Newington but regularly visits Coxheath, first noticed it three months ago when he rang South East Water and was told the company was aware of it.
He said: “Bearing in mind the outlandish price increases and the company’s pathetic pleas for us to all save water, I find this ridiculous situation – it must be addressed now!
“No matter how ‘complex’ the repair is, there can be no credible excuse for taking the easy option and simply ignoring it while what they say is a precious resource is pouring into the surrounding area at an extraordinarily rapid rate.
“They are clearly not prioritising the repair or it would have been fixed months ago.”
When he spoke with staff at the health centre itself, he was told the leak gets reported weekly – but still nothing has been done.
“How can it possibly take eight months?” Peter questioned. “It’s a health hazard and it’s undermining the foundation of the building.”
“How hard can it be?” the retiree added. “It’s a hole in a pipe somewhere. You can see where it comes from and where it’s going to.”
Mr Bell said: “We’re sorry to customers in the Coxheath area who are witnessing the leak outside The Heathside Centre.
“We understand that seeing water wasted like this is frustrating and we take fixing leaks and saving water very seriously.
“The leak was initially reported to us in October 2024, but due to the complexity of the leak and the area it is in, we have had to abort the repair on two occasions.
“We are prioritising this work with our schedulers, highways team and local authorities. We thank you for your patience while we repair the leaking pipe.”
Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT), which owns The Heathside Centre, has been contacted for a comment.
It is understood a new date for the repairs has not been set.
