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Sewage Floods Garden For Six Years: Resident's Despair
11 Jun
Summary
- Woman's garden repeatedly flooded with sewage for six years.
- Thames Water engineers have visited multiple times without resolution.
- MP urged government to compel Thames Water to fix the issue.
For six years, Judy Washington of Wheatley, Oxford, has faced persistent sewage flooding in her garden. During prolonged heavy rain, sewage regularly bubbles up from a drain near her property, covering the garden and causing significant distress. Despite multiple visits from Thames Water engineers, the issue remains unresolved, with Ms. Washington expressing frustration over the lack of effective action and communication.
Thames Water attributes the flooding to excess water entering the sewer system due to heavy rainfall and high groundwater levels, making the low-lying valley area susceptible to hydraulic overload. While the company states ongoing investigations and has implemented some remedial measures like sealing manholes and pipe lining, they indicated to MP Freddie van Mierlo that a full review might not occur until late 2027. The situation has drawn parliamentary attention, with a minister promising to follow up on the matter.
