York estate residents call for action after homes flooded by sewage

Sean Marshall said the problem had "gone on for too long now"

Families living on a York housing estate say they have been plagued by raw sewage flooding their homes for the past four years.

Residents on Bowland Way, in Rawcliffe, said they have found the waste water in their garages and utility rooms.

One resident said he had decided to leave his home due to the problem.

Yorkshire Water said it was working with housing developer Redrow to investigate a private sewer on nearby Green Lane.

Describing the problem, Lisa Footman said her home had flooded earlier this month after the storms.

She said: "I think it was about four years ago that it all started, where things were bubbling up in the downstairs bathroom.

"There were all sorts of wash baskets in the utility room that it came up in. My daughter's PE kit was all covered. It all went underneath my washing machine, my dishwasher, my drier.

"The smell was indescribable."

Flooding at the home of Christine and Sean Marshall

Neighbours Christine and Sean Marshall have lived in their home for 48 years.

Mrs Marshall said: "Two years ago I came down one morning and walked in here thinking there's not a nice smell.

"I went into the garage and the garage was just full of slurry, it absolutely smelt horrendous.

"Yorkshire Water cleaned it up, but we didn't make that much of a fuss… we try to think best of people."

The Marshalls and Ms Footman said that after the most recent incident on 2 January they decided to inform Yorkshire Water.

Mr Marshall said: "It's gone on for too long now, they know what the problem is.

"Why should we have to put up with that? I bet if they lived around here, they'd be doing something about it."

A Yorkshire Water spokesperson said: "We understand incidents like this are distressing for customers.

"Our investigations have found the pumping station is fully operational and working as it should.

"However, we are working in collaboration with a housing developer to investigate a third-party connection into the private sewer upstream of the Green Lane pumping station."

A spokesperson for housing firm Redrow, which runs a nearby development, said "We can confirm our pumping station has been operating correctly and within the allowable discharge rate.

"We are working closely with Yorkshire Water and the landowners of the mixed-use development to support them as they work towards finding a swift resolution."