Weeks of sewage flooding leaves residents outraged

Homes in Marley Road, Hoo, have been hit by a foul stench following drain blockages

Residents of a Kent village who have had raw sewage flooding their properties and gardens have said Southern Water "should have sorted the problem out" after three weeks.

Homes in Marley Road, Hoo, were hit by a foul stench following drain blockages worsened by increased rainfall, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Tracy Medhurst, 54, said: "This was my home and it feels like it's been destroyed. You smell it everywhere."

Southern Water said the blockage had been caused by items which were not supposed to be flushed down the drains, such as wet wipes and oils.

Mrs Medhurst, 54, said she had been on the phone to Southern Water reporting issues nearly every day for the last three weeks.

She said: "When I saw it again, I just wanted to cry, it's absolutely disgusting...

"This shouldn't be happening. Southern Water should have sorted the problem out. They've had three weeks, and what have they done? Nothing."

'Completely unacceptable'

Tracy said that when she rang the water company's helpline following the latest incident on Monday, they said someone would be out within 72 hours.

Tracy's husband, Stephen Medhurst, 62, said he could not "put a figure on" how much the damage would cost.

Neighbour Helen Bruce, 80, said: "The entire garden has been ruined with sewage; it's underneath every plant pot I move.

"It's a terrible, sickening smell. It puts you off your food and makes your throat dry, makes you feel ill."

Deputy leader of the independent group at Medway Council, Michael Pearce, said: "Southern Water's inaction concerning the properties on Marley Road is completely unacceptable."

Southern Water said it had provided support to clean up the mess and directed customers to its online compensation forms.

A spokesperson added: "Our teams were on site at Marley Road and found blockages in the underground pipes and removed 'unflushables' - wet wipes, fats, oils and grease - which caused external flooding to two properties in the road.

"The heavy rain on Monday also added to the build-up in the underground network.

"We have provided drying equipment to our customers – humidifiers – to help dry out the garages."