0
0
Residents in Sweetbrier Lane in Exeter are now afraid of heavy rain after floods in the road have destroyed the homes of some homeowners
Exeter residents who were left distraught after their homes suffered severe damage after they were flooded by sewage during an unexpected downpour have called on South West Water to upgrade its drainage system, as they are afraid that the same thing could happen again.
On September 17, heavy rainfall and storms caused chaos in areas of the city as well as Devon. The heavy rainfall caused widespread flooding, especially at the busy Honiton Road junction which is notorious for getting flooded whenever there’s heavy rain.
Two nearby Sweetbrier Lane homes were also affected. Two nearby homes on Sweetbrier Lane were affected by the flooding. One had to leave their house while it is being repaired, and the second has to live with flood damage.
SWW has told both that they will be responsible for the cost of repairs because there are no defects in their sewer system or manhole. However, it assures them it is working to find solutions to assist. The homeowners are still convinced that there’s a problem with the sewer system, as the road does not fall into a flood zone, but flooding in the neighborhood has been a major issue in recent years.
Nita Potter, Michael Potter and the children of Nita Potter live in one of those affected properties. The Potters have lived there for 5 years. Their first flood occurred on September 2, 2020, after heavy rain across the city caused flooding along Honiton Road.
After hitting potholes or lifting drain covers, vehicles were left stuck along the road. Police closed the road while this incident took place.
SWW cleaned up the sewage that poured into their garden. Their home also suffered minor water damage.
Nita remembered: “Cars driving on this road were using it to divert traffic, which sent the water down the driveways. The sewers overflowed.” Toilet roll, sanitary items and other things were floating around in the garden. Inside the house we noticed that the edge of some carpet was wet.
We didn’t give it much thought, but there was probably a great deal of moisture in our house. But we weren’t aware of this at the time. SWW sent down a camera to the drains, saying they would be able handle the amount of water. But it couldn’t.
In the same month a year after, they were again hit with flooding. Nita, a nurse who worked at Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital returned to her home after a long shift and found a strong stench and water damage.
Nita stated: “Following heavy rains, Honiton Road became completely flooded. All the drains around it couldn’t handle the water, and they even backed up to Sweetbrier Lane. Our driveway drain and the one at the rear of our home started gushing water like a torrent.
The drains on our road were the same. Water did not enter our home through the front door, but instead under the foundations. This has resulted in extensive damage which is still to be fixed.
We believe that SWW drains are to blame for flooding us, not the rain. SWW claims they are not responsible for the blockages in drains. South West Water has only given us a box sandbags.
Our daughter was sick the following day, despite our insurance company spraying bacterial agents all over the place.
We have three cats, two kids (one of whom is preparing to take her GCSEs), and both working parents.
We are not looking for money; rather, we would like SWW to take responsibility and accept the blame. They should not claim that it is because of floodwater. No one is sweeping or cleaning the drainage system. In September, leaves are deposited in gutters. For the last two years we’ve had problems in September.
Damage to the flooring in the Potters’ home has affected the whole downstairs. Until repairs can be made, they have to run dehumidifiers for 17 hours per day. The Potters’ electricity bill has increased by PS300, which their insurance provider will pay.
South West Water’s spokesperson stated: “We used CCTV footage in order to investigate the issue, which was caused due to high levels of surface waters entering the combined sewer system from the road after the exceptional rainfall on 17 September. The sewers were at maximum capacity, and rainwater that fell during the storm could not be absorbed by the system.
We are currently working on a fix for this issue. “While there were no blockages or structural defects in the sewers or manholes, we do not have any problems.” “We will contact the affected customers to address this problem and apologize for any inconvenience.”
Three years ago, the Potter’s neighbour next door, who requested not to be identified, lived with her husband, their dog, and living in that house. The Potter’s next door neighbour, who asked not to be named, has lived there with her husband and their dog for three years.
They finally found a rented apartment that accepted pets, and their insurance paid the rent. The date on which they may be allowed to return home has not yet been confirmed.
The couple moved into Sweetbrier Lane shortly after the Covid Pandemic began and have since completed extensive renovations, including installing new flooring in the basement. The water damage has now forced the removal of the flooring, which was also absorbed by the walls. Plaster has fallen off.
Homeowner said, “We are in need of a long term fix and not just a quick fix. Our house insurance has increased. It will also affect our home’s value which is very worrying. SWW says it clears approximately 8,500 blocks each year in order to maintain the flow of the sewer. They also claim to work with the local councils and highways as well as the Environment Agency to avoid blockages.
It’s natural that, after such a substantial effort and investment, people would wonder how Sweetbrier Lane’s sewer system could have failed twice within the last year. This incident raises concern about homes that are in non-flood areas, but which have traditionally been safe.
Uncertainty now hangs in the air, as responsibility for sewers including manholes is firmly with water companies. The sewage crisis on Sweetbrier Lane continues, and it is imperative that the local authority and community work together to find a solution.
The ongoing suffering experienced by affected residents is a reminder of the dire consequences that can occur when infrastructures fail. Residents now demand that SWW accepts responsibility and takes steps to ensure it doesn’t negatively impact property values.
The community insists on the price of affected properties not dropping, which is reasonable. Would sewage seep into your home in the event of a rainstorm? “We strongly advise you to review your policy and make sure that it covers everything.”
The flood damage restoration service is essential for dealing with the aftermath of flooding in your home. Flood damage repair include rapid water removal, thorough drying and mold prevention. Experts use the latest equipment to minimize damage, stop mold growth and restore property back to its original condition. If you are interested in getting better information and finding out in more detail about the services we offer, you can see more here Imperial Restoration water and flood damage restoration Toronto. A rapid response will minimize further damage and the health risks that come with extended exposure to water. Expert flood damage restoration ensures that you will have a complete recovery and can return to your home in a habitable condition after the flood.
