Water Crisis Leaves Horley Residents Scrambling as SES Water Under Fire
What Happened to Horley’s Water Supply
On Sunday morning, residents across Horley woke to a serious problem: taps had run dry. The disruption stemmed from a power failure at SES Water’s Bough Beech Water Treatment Works, leaving thousands without access to water for hours. The outage rippled through large parts of Horley, affecting residential streets from the town centre to surrounding neighbourhoods, and even impacted operations at nearby Gatwick Airport. For families trying to prepare breakfast or tackle household chores, the lack of water pressure made basic tasks impossible. Residents like Alan Boughen from the town noticed the problem around 09:30 when water pressure dropped to dangerous lows—too low to wash dishes, shower, or perform essential hygiene tasks. The disruption highlighted just how dependent modern life is on infrastructure most of us take for granted. While the outage lasted several hours, its impact extended well beyond Sunday morning inconvenience for many households.
Vulnerable Residents Left Without Support or Information
The crisis deepened when concerns emerged about how SES Water handled support for its most vulnerable customers. Chris Coghlan, MP for Dorking and Horley, has stepped in after receiving complaints from constituents who felt abandoned during the emergency. Several residents reported they were on the Priority Services Register—a scheme designed to protect elderly and vulnerable people during disruptions—yet received no contact about bottled water deliveries or support options. One particularly distressing account described a resident spending hours on hold trying to reach customer services, only to be disconnected. In response, Coghlan has written directly to SES Water demanding clarification on how the company identified customers needing help and whether its contingency plans actually functioned as intended. The MP’s intervention underscores a critical gap: emergency planning must ensure that those least able to cope with utility failures receive immediate, proactive support. For residents like those in Horley’s older communities, such breakdowns in communication can have serious health and safety implications.
Community Rallies Together While Questions Mount
While frustration grows over SES Water’s response, Horley residents have demonstrated the strength of neighbourhood bonds. Neighbours rallied to support elderly and vulnerable residents, delivering bottled water and checking on those who couldn’t fend for themselves. This grassroots response arguably did more for vulnerable residents than official channels managed during the crisis. Such community spirit reflects what makes Horley resilient, whether residents are facing water outages or managing home improvements like loft conversions and loft refurbishment projects that strengthen local properties and value. Local builders, including firms like Guilford builders who know the area well, understand how infrastructure reliability matters to homeowners maintaining their investments. Looking ahead, residents want answers. SES Water has acknowledged it’s reviewing its emergency response procedures, stating it aims to “provide the best possible service” when third-party power failures strike. However, many Horley residents will be watching closely to see what concrete changes emerge. The company’s next steps will determine whether the Priority Services Register actually protects those it’s meant to serve, and whether communication systems can handle future emergencies more effectively.
Source: Horley MP Chris Coghlan seeks answers after SES Water outage
