Sewage Surges into Gardens: Village Choked by Flooding

Raw sewage has been emerging from manholes in the Berkshire village of Stanford Dingley, flowing directly into residents' back gardens and the River Pang. This distressing situation has been ongoing for more than 20 years, with local resident James Devine reporting the recent flooding in early February as the worst he has experienced in his two years living there. For six consecutive days, sewage flowed constantly from a manhole into his property and the nearby river.

Olivia Bailey, the MP for Reading West and Mid Berkshire, has publicly called on Thames Water to resolve the escalating problem, stating that local people should not have to deal with raw sewage in their streets and gardens. Edward Hanarahan, chair of Stanford Dingley Parish Council, described the situation as unsafe, with residents encountering faeces, toilet paper, and even used condoms emerging from the manholes. He emphasized the urgent need for Thames Water to implement effective long-term solutions.

A spokesperson for Thames Water acknowledged the heightened sewer flooding due to recent heavy rainfall and apologized to affected residents. They stated that sewer lining, sealed manholes, and a flood alleviation tank have been implemented to mitigate flooding. The company also mentioned deploying tankers for additional support during severe flooding and is in ongoing dialogue with residents and local authorities to find the most effective long-term solutions while protecting the local environment.