Residents left without working toilets after heavy rainfall

Stephen Manchester has been unable to use his toilet following rainfall

Some residents of a Lincolnshire village are unable use their toilets for days after it rains.

People in Silk Willoughby, near Sleaford, said they were having to rely on friends and neighbours, or on the facilities at the local pub.

Stephen Manchester, who is in his 80s, said he and his wife had to use a neighbour's toilet for three days following Storm Babet last year.

Anglian Water said heavy rainfall had led to "widespread infiltration of excess water into our sewer network".

Properties in Church Lane have been affected by the problem

Mr Manchester said rain of about an inch was enough to leave him and his wife unable to use their shower, dishwasher or washing machine.

After having to use a neighbour's facilities for several days last year, they decided to use their toilets "carefully" after rain but restrict how many times they flushed them "because it would be a catastrophe if it overflowed".

They have also had sewage in their garden and pond.

"The sewage water backs up and overflows and comes up our manhole and into the garden and pond - water and toilet paper," he said.

Julie Topps had to move in with her parents for several days

Fellow resident Julie Topps said she and her family moved in with her parents for several days following Storm Babet.

"It's happened twice in the past six months where we've not been able to use the toilets and the showers," she said.

Lighter rain showers were enough to disable her downstairs toilet, she said, adding that the entire family was constantly monitoring weather forecasts.

"If it says it's going to rain all week we are just waiting for it to happen again," she said.

Councillor Andrew Hagues has raised the issue with Anglian Water

Andrew Hagues, the Lincolnshire County Council member for the area, said "around half a dozen properties in the village are affected" and they were all "at the end of the village, close to the sewage treatment works".

He added: "Some people have had to use the pub facilities, others have had friends or relatives to go to."

Mr Hagues said he raised the issue with an Anglian Water representative at a council meeting on 19 February but had not heard anything since.

He said residents should get compensation "if Anglian Water can't do anything".

The Anglian Water sewage treatment works near the affected properties

In a statement, Anglian Water said: "The ongoing rainfall combined with the already saturated ground means that we’re seeing widespread infiltration of excess water into our sewer network.

“It means that while our network is operating the best it can, there's much less room for the sewage, which can cause problems with flushing toilets or using showers and washing machines, particularly if they are downstairs."