*Updated 13 January at 13:50**
We are pleased to confirm that water supply across Canterbury campus has stabilised.
Campus access restrictions will be lifted, and teaching and services will resume as normal from tomorrow, Wednesday 14 January.
Thank you for your patience and understanding over the past few days. We know this has been a disruptive start to term, and we really appreciate the flexibility and support you have shown.
If you have any questions about your teaching, your academic school or course team will be happy to help.
**Updated 13 January at 11:00**
Following yesterday’s water supply issues, we are pleased to provide an update following the latest information received from South East Water this morning.
At present, water has begun to return to some buildings on Canterbury campus that were previously without supply including Keynes, Woolf, Turing and Giles Court, however a number of areas remain affected. South East Water have confirmed that their teams have been working overnight and that reservoir levels are beginning to recover. As a result, some customers in the wider area may start to see water return.
However, they have advised that:
- The recovery process will take a considerable amount of time due to the size of the network affected.
- Where water does return, it may be intermittent until the reservoirs have fully recovered.
Water quality and usage when supply returns
South East Water have advised that when water does return, it may initially appear brown, cloudy or white. This is not harmful and is caused by disturbance within the mains. They recommend running the cold kitchen tap until the water clears.
To help manage pressure on the system and prevent flooding, please ensure that all taps, showers and water outlets are turned off when not in use if you are on campus, particularly in buildings where water supply is returning intermittently.
Campus arrangements
As previously communicated, access to our Canterbury campus remains restricted today to reduce pressure on limited water resources and to protect health and safety. Teaching has been moved online or rescheduled.
Catering outlets are open serving food and providing access to toilets. You can also access Templeman Library or the following Campus Lounges, which are all unaffected by the water supply issues:
- Rutherford Lounge
- Eliot Lounge
- Eliot Corner Lounge
- Cornwallis South Lounge
We recognise the continued uncertainty and disruption this situation is causing and thank you for your patience and cooperation. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide further updates later today following South East Water’s next update, which is expected at 14:30 today.
**Updated at 12 January, 16:45**
Following this morning’s water supply issue on Canterbury campus caused by South East Water, our Maintenance team has successfully switched affected buildings to an alternative water supply.
Water is now gradually returning to some buildings, and tanks in the Park Wood plant room are refilling. We are continuing to monitor the situation closely.
Buildings where water is being restored
Water has now been re-instated to the following locations:
- Park Wood Houses
- Parkwood Flats (Bossenden, Kemsdale, Nickle, Stock)
- Hothe Court Farm House
- Kent Community Oasis Garden building
- Oaks Day Nursery
- Sports Pavilion
Please note that it may take a couple of hours for water pressure to fully return. To avoid flooding, please ensure all taps and showers are switched off.
Buildings currently without water
The following buildings are still without water:
- Giles Court
- Woolf College
- Turing College
- Turing Hub
- Keynes College
- Due to the ongoing disruption, the Park Wood Co-op is currently closed.
These areas cannot be supplied from an alternative source, so water will be restored when South East Water completes their repairs. We are in regular contact with them and will provide further updates as soon as they are available.
Toilets available for use
Due to the ongoing water outage, toilets are not currently flushing in buildings impacted by the issue. Students should use toilet facilities in the following locations, where water supply is available:
- Templeman Library – open 24 hours
- Eliot College – closes at 00.00
- Darwin College – closes at 00.00
- Rutherford College – closes at 00.00
- Grimond Building – closes at 23.00
- Jarman Building – closes at 18.00
- Marlowe Building – closes at 18.00
Drinking water and refills
Water stations will be set up in affected accommodation areas. Students living in these locations will receive a direct update.
Working water fountains are available in:
- Templeman Library – open 24 hours
- Darwin College – closes at 00.00
- Eliot College (Eliot Corner Lounge and Eliot Lounge) – closes at 00.00
- Jarman Building – closes at 18.00
- Marlowe Building – closes at 18.00
- Tyler Court A – closes at 20.00
You can also get bottles refilled in various catering outlets across campus:
- Gulbenkian – open until 20:00, reopens at 07.45
- Rutherford – open until 20:00, reopens at 12.00
- Mungo’s – open until 21:00, reopens at 09.00
Please see the catering website for full outlet opening times.
Bottled water will be available after 22.00 from Campus Security.
We apologise for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience.
If you have any questions, please contact Estates Customer Services on 01227 8 16666.