South East Water faces a fresh investigation from industry regulator Ofwat over its handling of recent supply disruptions. The watchdog is examining whether the utility breached its licence conditions regarding customer care during the outages. If found guilty, the company could face fines of up to 10% of its annual turnover.

This probe is the latest in a series of regulatory actions against UK water companies, which have come under intense pressure for failing to invest in aging infrastructure. Persistent issues with leaks and supply interruptions have tested public patience and drawn sharp criticism from politicians and consumer groups alike.

Ofwat has been increasingly willing to use its enforcement powers to protect consumer interests. The investigation will scrutinise South East Water’s communication with affected customers and the support it offered during service failures. The outcome will be closely watched by other regional utilities facing similar operational challenges.