Raw sewage in my garden (essex and Suffolk water)

[moonlandings]

Hi all, my garden has been flooded for two whole days with raw sewage, I called Essex and Suffolk water, who directed me to Thames water to report the issue. Thames water visited my house to look at the problem, they explained that they had a sewer collapse, which they were repairing, they have said that when they have done the repair, they will be back to do a clean up.

 

I have had to leave my house for the last two days because the smell is unbearable, especially in the recent warm weather,my lawn and path are ruined.

 

Is there grounds here for a claim against them for what I have had to endure these last two days?

 

Many thank for all and any answers or help

Moonlandings

[BazzaS]

Hi all, my garden has been flooded for two whole days with raw sewage, I called Essex and Suffolk water, who directed me to Thames water to report the issue. Thames water visited my house to look at the problem, they explained that they had a sewer collapse, which they were repairing, they have said that when they have done the repair, they will be back to do a clean up.

I have had to leave my house for the last two days because the smell is unbearable, especially in the recent warm weather,my lawn and path are ruined.

 

Is there grounds here for a claim against them for what I have had to endure these last two days?

Many thank for all and any answers or help

Moonlandings

 

You can ask to be compensated.

 

However, what are you expecting from them right now?. They've said they need to do the sewer repair, and will be back to do a clean up after, which is all one can expect of them at present.

 

See what they do to reinstate the path and lawn, then approach them for compensation (with a note of what else you feel needs to be done). Alternatively : do you have household insurance that might cover this, +/- legal expenses cover?.

[moonlandings]

Hi bazza thank you for your reply, I don't want to sound like one of those claim for anything and everything types, but this has happened a number of times over the past ten years, I can see already that the sewage has got under the slabs on the path and has lifted them and cracked one or two.

 

On previous occasions I have been polite and just accepted the inconvenience that this causes, I just want to give them a bit of a hard time now as it seems to get something done you have to shout and stamp your feet a bit.

 

But of course I understand that a collapsed sewer is something that the water company can't plan for.

 

Many thanks

Moonlandings

[ericsbrother]

you can ask for the recovery of your costs once the work is done so keep a record of what has been damaged etc. especiaaly photos and dig out some pictures of the "before" as well.

If there was a need for you to vacate the premises they would have to pay your expenses there but that will be down to a statutory nuisance rather than you not liking the smell.

[citizenB]

you can ask for the recovery of your costs once the work is done so keep a record of what has been damaged etc. especiaaly photos and dig out some pictures of the "before" as well.

If there was a need for you to vacate the premises they would have to pay your expenses there but that will be down to a statutory nuisance rather than you not liking the smell.

 

 

Would this not also be a health hazard, ericsbrother ?

[ericsbrother]

probably not as it is in the garden and as a result of broken pipe . That would be down to careful reading of EPA and stat nuisance