A section of Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford has been operating under a water safety notice since April 28 after an internal fault raised concerns about contamination, prompting alternative arrangements and ongoing laboratory testing
The west block of Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford, Kent, has been operating under a water safety notice since Tuesday, April 28 after hospital managers identified an issue that could compromise water quality. According to the Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust, an internal fault connected to the hospital heating system created the potential for contamination of both the hot and cold water networks.
Repairs to the system have been carried out, but the Trust says the supply cannot fully return to normal until detailed flushing and laboratory testing have confirmed the water is safe for drinking and washing, with results not expected before Friday, May 9 at the earliest.
How the problem began and what it means
Trust statements describe the root cause as an internal fault inside the heating infrastructure that affected the broader plumbing network; Thames Water has said its regional network was not at fault and that this was an internal matter.
The Trust has undertaken remedial work and is now conducting controlled flushing of pipework while samples are processed by specialist laboratories. Until analytical results clear the systems, certain wards and clinical areas in the west block will remain under restrictions and will be clearly signposted to prevent tap use for drinking or washing.
Immediate effects on patients and hospital operations
Roughly half of the hospital site sits in the west block and some wards have been unable to use tap water for routine purposes. The Trust says the remainder of the site — including surgical services, intensive care, radiology, the main entrance, and catering and cleaning services — remains unaffected and open for normal use. For affected areas, managers have set up alternative arrangements such as distributed bottled water and portable handwashing sinks, and toilets continue to be operational across the site. Despite these measures, patients, relatives and some staff have reported significant practical difficulties that are raising concerns about hygiene and comfort.
Reports from families and staff
On social media and local message boards, visitors and recent patients have described situations where cleaning of patients relied on wet wipes and where catering teams faced challenges washing crockery. One contributor said nursing teams were stretched while trying to maintain standards without regular wash facilities, and another expressed alarm over vulnerable patients who require more frequent washing. The Trust has confirmed it is investigating these specific claims while emphasising that alternative hygiene facilities have been provided and that operational safety remains the priority.
Actions taken by the Trust and local representatives
Hospital leaders have activated their incident response arrangements, apologised for the disruption and assured the public that safety remains paramount. The remediation programme includes specialist contractors flushing the internal network and collecting water samples for laboratory testing to rule out contamination. Local MP Jim Dickson has also intervened, writing to the Trust’s chief executive to seek assurances about how wards will function and to press for a swift resolution. The Trust continues to review arrangements daily and to liaise with infrastructure partners to restore normal supply as soon as it is safe to do so.
Practical guidance for patients, visitors and staff
While the restrictions are in place, the hospital asks everyone to follow posted directions: do not drink tap water in designated areas, use the bottled water and the designated handwashing facilities provided, and speak to staff if unsure which zones are safe. Toilets across the site are reported as fully operational, and the Trust encourages anyone with concerns about care or hygiene to raise them with ward teams so that alternative arrangements can be made promptly. Staff continue to manage services to minimise impact on patient care during the testing period.
