Investigation into Horsham water crisis affecting thousands leads to £63m improvement plan

The crisis led to schools closing, emergency bottled water stations being set up and questions from local MPs.

People in Horsham, Billinghurst, Broadbridge Heath, Pulborough, Codmore Hill, West Chiltington, Wisborough Green, Rudgwick, Loxwood, Barns Green, Slinfold and Turners Hill were affected.

Emergency bottled water stations were set up at Billingshurst Football Club and at Horsham Park and Ride.

Southern Water’s Hardham Water Supply Works was automatically shut down late in the evening on Friday May 12 when sampling highlighted a change in water quality.

Around 25,000 homes and businesses were affected at the peak of the incident. The water supply was restored to 22,500 properties by May 15 with remaining residents’ supplies restored a day later.

Southern Water says that its extensive sampling processes look for different substances in water to ensure water quality is as high as it should be.

Southern Water director Tim McMahon said: “We are very sorry to those who were impacted by this disruption. We have carried out a thorough internal review into what happened, as it is vitally important we are transparent with customers when we fall short of expectations.  

“Our investigations found that the water entering Hardham from the nearby river and storage reservoir was unusual in that it contained more sediment and impurities than normal, which caused difficulties for our treatment processes.

“Unfortunately, there is no way of knowing the exact source given the number of potential factors, such as agricultural and industrial run-off, but we have fully reviewed our own on-site policies and procedures so we are as prepared as we can be if this were to happen again.”

Have you read? New restaurant opens in Horsham town centre

Watch as Hollywood actor Tom Hardy takes part in Loxwood Joust in Sussex

Independent retailer gets set to open new Horsham shop

Southern Water has now proposed spending £63 million on improving the resilience of Hardham Water Supply Works after 2025, and says it is in tallks with regulators “to make this happen as quickly as possible.

“We’re also reviewing where we can improve customer experience during water supply incidents and continue to address local water supply and demand challenges.”