Mum’s disgust as sewage floods street and home

WASTE from an overflowing sewer flooded a street and seeped into a woman’s home forcing her to leave.

Human waste and toilet paper covered part of Heol Bradford in Bettws, near Bridgend, and got into Rachel Warwick’s home.

“The problems with the drains have been ongoing for years, but it was never this bad,” she said.

The 34-year-old mum of four said she and her children were forced to leave due to the smell.

Rachel slept on her cousin’s sofa, but as the house was not big enough for the children they had to stay with other relatives.

“The mess was coming in by the front door. I couldn’t stay – none of us could,” she said.

“It’s absolutely absurd. I have had enough.”

Rachel said items including tea towels, food wrappers, sanitary protection, breast pads and even lighters had come up from the sewer, leading her to believe the flushing of these inappropriate items had caused the blockage and then Sunday’s flood. A Welsh Water spokesman agreed. He said: “We are aware of previous issues with a section of sewer on Heol Bradford, Bettws, which required a repair – and we sent a team to carry that out in October.

“We then cleaned the sewer lines and examined them using CCTV – and found no major defects on the section – and it is likely blockages were caused by inappropriate materials being flushed into the sewer system.

“We’re sorry the customer has experienced further problems and we will be in touch to see how we can help resolve the situation.

“Sewer blockages are often caused by inappropriate items being flushed away and the build-up of cooking oils and fats which are poured down the sink. We urge customers to help avoid sewer blockages by disposing of waste materials properly.”

Rachel said even after Welsh Water had cleared this latest blockage, human waste and toilet paper was left in the street and in her garden.

“It’s all over my walls, my chiminea and my recycling amenities,” she said.

“I am at the end of my tether with it.”

Welsh Water said if anyone experiences waste water flooding they should call the helpline immediately on 0800 085 3968.”