Thames Water criticised as water problems in Bean continue
Villagers are having problems washing dishes and showering as ongoing hot water pressure issues continue.
People living in Bean are having to boil up kettles to wash up, and have baths instead of showers after the hot water pressure dropped earlier this month.
Ten days later the issue still hasn’t been fixed.
Some residents who rang Thames Water to complain were told there was no record of the problem, while others were told it had been resolved.
Thames Water told KentOnline the problems were down to a burst water main, and repairs should be completed soon.
In the meantime, many people are frustrated by the delays. Dan Farmer, of Drudgeon Way, said he is having to boil water in the kettle to wash the dishes and cannot have a bath.
He said it felt like the problem had been going on forever.
He said: “They have not given us a date when it will be fixed. It’s like living in the dark ages.”
The 30-year-old is furious at the lack of communication from Thames Water. He said some of his neighbours have been told the issue has been fixed yet there are still two water tankers at the entrance to the village.
The issue – which has been going on since July 10 – has also affected the drinking water and has left residents having to fork out on supplies from the local shop rather than using the free tap water, which they say tastes “disgusting”.
Lyn Johnson, who lives in Beacon Drive, said she has had to buy gallons of drinking water as she has to take daily tablets for a stroke.
The 64-year-old said: “The so-called drinking water tastes disgusting, with grit in the glass. We can’t drink it.
“We have been and bought bottled water to drink as I have many tablets to take a day since having a very large stroke.”
She added: “When we phoned them it was as if they didn’t really care as they are supplying water to us.”
Sarah Jayne Woods said her water ran out mid-shower at the weekend, so she is resorting to baths to ensure she can clean off all the soap.
She said: “The inevitable happened. I got stranded mid-lather in the shower.
“I can’t keep this up until the end of the month – it’s ridiculous.”
She said the toilet also gurgles and splutters when it flushes.
As well as the water issue, the tankers have been surrounded by two-way traffic lights which are causing traffic issues.
Dan, who is an electrician, said every journey takes an extra 10 minutes because of the “slow changing” lights.
He said: “It is causing absolute mayhem. They seem to take ages to change and if someone goes through quickly when they turn red you miss your chance to go.”
If there is an accident on Dartford Bridge, Dan says Bean is used as a rat-run and he is predicting the situation could get even worse.
“It will cause mayhem,” he said.
A spokesman for Thames Water said: "We received reports of a burst water main on Bean Lane on Monday, July 10.
"Repair works are ongoing and expected to be completed over the coming days. Due to the location of the burst and whilst repairs are ongoing, we have tankers in place to keep our customers’ taps flowing.
"Two-way traffic lights are in place whilst our teams complete this work and we're sorry for any disruption to motorists and residents during this time."