An elderly couple lives in a trailer after a flood of sewage has turned their bungalow into a “bomb site” and waits for more than six months for work.
Tony and Maureen Webster of Hartford, Huntingdon, destroyed their home when sewage gushed from an inspection chamber in their driveway last December.
Hazardous trash overflowed “like a well” before stepping into the triple bungalow and tearing up hardwood floors and ruining property.
The couple’s belongings were destroyed during the sewage flood.
– Photo credit: Tony Webster
Mr Webster, 84, who was recovering from major cancer surgery at the time, said he had been pushing Anglian Water to install a check valve since 2013.
However, six months after the flood, the couple has not yet had any work done by the water company.
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During the renovation of their house, they decided to move into a caravan in the driveway – but fear that another wastewater flood could cause it at any time.
Mr. Webster said, “It looked like a lagoon in front of our house and within half an hour it was deep enough to get inside.
“We tried to contain it with towels, but it got so high it went down the hall to other rooms and then flooded the garden.
“Despite my daily attempts to get help from Anglian Water, there was nothing.
“Even a rat hole popped up in the dirt on my driveway.”
In March, Mr Webster received a call from Anglian Water to say the crews would come out to put a camera in the sewer – but nothing happened.
You now indicate that the work will take place in the next month.
“It has been eight years since the first disturbing incident, but here we are still struggling to install a check valve,” added Webster.
“We’ve had the sewage flood for six months and we’re still being told that someone might come out in six weeks.
“I shielded myself and am at risk from Covid, but I live under these conditions.”
The parquet floor in the bungalow corridor was torn up during the wastewater flood.
– Photo credit: Tony Webster
In a letter to Mr. Webster dated June 23, Peter Simpson, CEO of Anglian Water, said that a CCTV investigation was required and that the property would be placed on a flood control list.
“I can understand your frustration with the disturbance and the excitement it caused you,” the letter reads.
“The flooding of your house was caused by extreme rainfall in addition to the already high groundwater and water levels, which put additional strain on the sewer network.
“Flood control can take many forms, including check valves, flood doors, flood barriers, and sealed manhole covers.
“When installing flood protection, we have to make sure that we don’t just pass the problem on to another property, which is why a CCTV survey or modeling has to be completed first.”
But Mr Webster said he feared his house could be flooded again if something is not done soon.
“My home was like a bomb site. It tore open floors and damaged belongings.
“Nevertheless, expensive floor coverings were soon replaced; I still have to risk everything while I wait for Anglian Water to start work. ”
An Anglian Water spokesperson said their research would help identify the “most suitable long-term solution.”
“Following exceptional rains over the Christmas season, our teams will begin extensive surveys of our sewer system around Church Lane, Hartford next month,” said a statement.
“These investigations will include video surveillance to ensure our facilities are working as efficiently as they should and will allow us to clear clogs to increase sewer capacity.
“After completing this work, we can check whether additional measures are required to protect the houses from flooding.
“We will be in touch with local residents shortly to describe the work and inform them of our progress so far.”
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