On the morning of August 30, 2025, the tranquil village of Alfriston in East Sussex woke to a disruption that rippled through both its community and one of its most beloved attractions—Drusillas Park. A burst water main in Pound Place, reported by South East Water, left homes grappling with low pressure or, in some cases, no water at all. For Drusillas Park, a family favorite known for its diverse collection of animals and hands-on exhibits, the consequences were immediate and unavoidable: the zoo was forced to close its gates for the day.
"We have been affected by a burst mains water pipe in our area, which currently means we have no water supply across the whole Park," a spokesperson for Drusillas Park told Sussex Express. "Unfortunately, this makes it unsafe for us to open, and we have no choice but to close the Park." Safety and welfare, both for visitors and the animals, were paramount in the decision. Without a steady water supply, the usual routines—from cleaning enclosures to ensuring public hygiene—simply couldn’t be maintained.
Yet, amid the inconvenience, the zoo was quick to reassure the public that its animals remained a top priority. "We have provisions in place for our animals, who have access to all the water that they need," the spokesperson emphasized, as reported by BBC Sussex. The park, which houses a variety of species from meerkats to red pandas, has contingency plans for precisely such emergencies, ensuring that animal welfare is never compromised, even when the unexpected strikes.
For families and visitors who had planned to spend their Saturday exploring Drusillas, the closure was a disappointment. The park acknowledged this with a heartfelt apology. "We sincerely apologise for the disappointment and inconvenience for those of you planning to visit today. All tickets for today will be replaced, allowing you to reschedule your visit to an alternative date. We will be in touch shortly," the spokesperson said, as cited by Sussex Express. The gesture of replacing all tickets for August 30 was a small balm for those whose day out had been upended, and the park promised to contact affected guests directly to arrange new dates.
Meanwhile, the wider Alfriston community was contending with the broader impact of the burst main. According to South East Water, the incident affected not just Drusillas Park but also numerous homes in the area, some of which found themselves entirely without water, while others experienced only a trickle from their taps. The company acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and detailed the steps being taken to restore normal service.
Charles Healey, incident manager for South East Water, explained the utility’s response: "We have been using our fleet of tankers to inject water directly into the network to minimise the disruption and our customers in Alfriston, including Drusillas Park, should see some supply returning." The use of water tankers is a tried-and-tested method in such emergencies, allowing for temporary restoration of supply while repairs are underway. It’s a logistical challenge, requiring coordination across teams and rapid deployment of resources, but one the company was prepared to undertake.
For those most vulnerable—customers on the priority services register—South East Water made arrangements to deliver bottled water directly to their doors. It’s a reminder that, for some, a loss of water supply is more than just an inconvenience; it can have serious health implications. "Bottled water is being delivered to our customers that are on the priority services register," Healey confirmed, as reported by BBC Sussex.
The incident, which occurred in Pound Place, caught many residents off guard. Water is often taken for granted—turn on the tap, and it’s there. But when a major pipe bursts, the ripple effects are immediate and far-reaching. Businesses, schools, and households alike are thrown into disarray. For Drusillas Park, the lack of water meant not only the closure of the zoo but also the suspension of all related activities, from educational programs to food service operations.
South East Water’s teams worked around the clock to locate and repair the burst main. The company issued a public apology for the inconvenience: "We are very sorry for the inconvenience this has caused and our teams are working hard to restore supplies as quickly as possible," a spokesperson told Sussex Express. For local residents and the park’s staff, the sight of water tankers arriving and engineers digging into the earth was a welcome sign that help was on the way.
Water supply interruptions aren’t new to the UK, but each incident brings its own challenges. Infrastructure, much of it decades old, is susceptible to wear and tear, and extreme weather can exacerbate vulnerabilities. In this case, there’s no indication of what specifically caused the pipe to burst, but the response from both the utility and the park was swift and coordinated.
For Drusillas Park, which has weathered storms, economic downturns, and even the COVID-19 pandemic, resilience is part of its DNA. The zoo’s management made it clear that the closure was a last resort, taken only when it became clear that opening without water would be unsafe. In their words: "Thank you for your patience and understanding while this situation is resolved." That spirit of transparency and customer care has long endeared Drusillas to locals and visitors alike.
The incident also served as a reminder of the interconnectedness between public utilities and community institutions. When a water main bursts, it’s not just about pipes and valves—it’s about families, businesses, and, in this case, animals who rely on a stable supply for their well-being. The coordinated response, from bottled water deliveries to ticket replacements, underscored the importance of contingency planning and community support.
By late afternoon, residents and the zoo alike began to see signs of improvement, with water supplies gradually returning as repairs progressed. The park’s team remained in close communication with South East Water and with guests whose plans had been disrupted. The hope was that, by the following day, Drusillas would be able to reopen its doors, welcoming back families eager to make up for lost time.
As the sun set over Alfriston, the village was reminded that even a burst pipe could bring a community together—through shared inconvenience, yes, but also through collective resilience and a commitment to looking out for one another, whether human or animal.
