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Norton's Garden Sewage Nightmare Ends
20 Mar
Summary
- Sewer diversion ends over 20 years of garden flooding anxiety.
- Flood defences installed in 2002 overwhelmed the sewer network.
- Temporary pumping systems prevent sewage from entering homes.
For over 20 years, residents of Norton near Malton have endured "constant anxiety" due to garden flooding caused by sewer system failures. The installation of riverside flood defences in 2002, while protecting many homes from wider flooding, led to the sewer network becoming overwhelmed during rainfall. This resulted in raw sewage regularly overflowing into local gardens.
Yorkshire Water has now commenced work to divert the sewer network to a wastewater pumping station. This six-week project is a crucial step in resolving the long-standing issue, which town mayor Di Keal described as the "last piece of the jigsaw" in flood defence efforts. Previously, temporary pumping systems and 24/7 tanker services were required to manage the overflow and prevent it from entering properties, a situation described as "unacceptable" in 2026.
The overflow has caused damage, including rotten flooring in gardens, and lingering smells after clean-up operations. While flood defences have saved numerous houses from internal flooding, the sewer issue persisted. The current diversion work is seen as a "wonderful" solution that will alleviate the worry for residents during heavy rain, marking a significant improvement for the community.
