Southern Water has assured customers its network is "operating smoothly" after councillors warned water could be cut off to 90,000 homes today.

Last night the firm said every effort was being made to prevent loss of water supplies for thousands of homes in Swale as its teams worked on a "potential issue" at a water supply works in the area.

Borough councillors shared a warning from the company with residents earlier in the evening, adding that the council had offered up two sites where bottled water could be handed out, if supply was lost.

Postcodes mentioned in the warning covered Bobbing, Iwade, Sittingbourne, Kemsley, Tunstall, Queenborough, Minster-on-Sea, Rushenden, Sheerness, Leysdown-on-Sea, Eastchurch and other areas.

However, Southern Water has updated customers via its social media accounts this morning.

Shortly after 7.30am, it said: "We deal with operational incidents all the time - 24/7, whatever the weather.

"Last night we were dealing with one of these incidents to ensure supplies of wholesome water to our customers in parts of Kent.

"Our water supply works and network are currently operating smoothly."

It added: "Social media speculation about this incident caused alarm for some customers – you will always hear from us if we know there will be an interruption to supply and only information from us should be trusted.

"We would also like to reassure customers currently shielding due to Covid-19 that they are eligible for our Priority Services Register and they can sign up here."

Concerned residents are still questioning whether they will be without water today or not.

One customer said: "So does this mean the issue is fixed and there is now no risk of the water being turned off this morning due to what was posted yesterday on social media?"

Another asked: "So we won't get a water outage today in ME9?", while another added: "This message is quite vague. Can you confirm that there will be no disruption to service please?"

Southern Water has been contacted for comment.

Read more: All the latest news from Sheppey

Read more: All the latest news from Sittingbourne