What has Southern Water said about 24 December in Hastings?

The utility has warned that parts of the Hastings water supply could see low pressure or no water on Christmas Eve due to a burst water main. Teams are repairing the asset, tankers are deployed, and updates will be posted through the day. Timings can change as pressure stabilises and reservoirs are refilled.

How can households get support during the outage?

Priority customers are receiving bottled water deliveries, and collection points are being made available for others. Check the latest company update for locations and eligibility, store water safely, and run taps briefly once clear supply returns. Keep simple records of outage times in case Guaranteed Standards payments apply.

What is the impact on local businesses today?

Pubs, restaurants, and hotels may face menu cuts or temporary closures if water is unavailable. Operators should review hygiene procedures, stock sealed bottled water, and communicate service changes early. Check insurance for business interruption, keep receipts for emergency purchases, and monitor updates to decide on opening hours and staffing.

What are the investor takeaways from this incident?

Events like a burst water main point to higher resilience spending, tighter regulatory attention, and potential pressure on financing costs. Track outage duration, customer service indicators, and planned upgrades. For listed peers in the UK water sector, consistent delivery against targets and transparent reporting are key signals for credit quality and valuation.

Global Market Insights

December 24: Southern Water Warns Hastings of Christmas Eve Outages

ByHuzaifa Zahoor December 24, 2025December 24, 2025

Southern Water has warned that parts of the Hastings water supply could see low pressure or no water on 24 December after a burst water main. The utility says bottled water deliveries are underway for priority customers and tankers are ready to support the network. We explain what this means for households, local businesses, and investors. We also outline the operational and regulatory context, plus practical steps to manage disruption today.