Residents of Teynham, Kent have claimed that regular leaks of raw sewage have left their quickly growing village feeling like a ‘Third World Country’.
Sewage is regularly left to pour out onto the streets of the 3,000-strong village near Sittingbourne, and locals say that they are unable to flush their toilets or use their showers due to problems.
They claim they have reported the reoccurring leaks for years and fear the issue will only get worse due to plans to build new houses.
Plans for 298 new homes in the area were approved earlier this month despite Southern Water stating it could connect only 50 new homes to the system without the need for ‘reinforcement’.
Wayne Kennett, who has lived in Frognal Lane for three years, says the raw sewage leaks occur ‘every two to three months’ which shows the infrastructure ‘cannot cope’.
Sewage is regularly left to pour out onto the streets of Teynham, near Sittingbourne, and locals say that they are unable to flush their toilets or use their showers due to problems
Wayne Kennett and Robert Requena said that the raw sewage leaks occur ‘every two to three months’ which shows the infrastructure ‘cannot cope’
Plans for 298 new homes in the area were approved earlier this month despite Southern Water stating it could connect only 50 new homes to the system without the need for ‘reinforcement’
The 63-year-old said that the last leak was in May and that the worst was in October last year when a manhole cover overflowed for ‘three days straight’ making the area ‘stink to high hell’.
Wayne said: ‘In this day and age to have raw sewage coming out of manhole covers in the street is disgusting. It just should not happen.
‘It is like we are living in a Third World country.
‘The system is old and outdated and cannot cope with what is already here. It can’t take another 298 houses and it’s going to be a disaster.
‘It’s so bad that I don’t even drink the tap water anymore as I fear it causes health problems.’
The grandfather-of-two says he now distills his water instead.
He also claims that the village is becoming increasingly under strain due to more homes being built with insufficient facilities.
As an example he described how his two grandchildren couldn’t secure places at a primary school in their area and were forced to attend one three-and-a-half miles away.
The former telecoms engineer also points to the village not having its own GP anymore, which was part of the reason for a decision on the homes being delayed.
Meanwhile, Frognal Gardens resident of six years and garden landscaper, Robert Requena, said the leaks were ‘disgraceful’ – as was the approval of the new homes.
The 63-year-old added: ‘It’s a health hazard that’s been going on since I arrived in the village.
‘But there is nothing we can do about it now the plans have been approved.’
He also says the roads will not be able to handle the extra traffic, as the junction between Frognal Lane and Frognal Gardens already floods after heavy downpours.
Cllr Paul Townson, chairman of Teynham Parish Council, is among those who slated the ‘car-centric design’ of the proposed estate.
Cllr Julien Speed, who represents Teynham and Lynsted on Swale council, argued the development should not go ahead until Southern Water had provided detailed, budgeted and timetabled plans to solve the drainage problems.
He added: ‘Residents are regularly unable to flush their toilets or use their showers due to a backup which is totally unacceptable.
‘A Southern Water employee has told me privately there’s no room for the plant to be upgraded as it’s running at full capacity.
‘Tanker lorries are being brought in on a two-weekly basis to take excess sewage away. This is 21st-century Britain, for goodness sake.
‘Frankly, I dispute that Southern Water can allow 50 new homes as there’s already a major failure of mains drainage in Frognal Lane.’
Chartway, the developer behind the Frognal Lane scheme, says the project will bring ‘much-needed new family homes for the borough’.
It will be making a £4.2 million contribution to local infrastructure, including the expansion of Teynham Primary School which is under way, and a new offer of giving ownership of land for community facilities to the parish council.
Southern Water says it is investigating the issues raised.
A spokesperson said: ‘Manholes overflowing are primarily caused by two things. In the incredibly wet weather we experienced last autumn and winter, ground water forced its way into both our and our customers’ pipes overloading the system.
‘But the main cause – and the single biggest cause of pollution – is sewer blockages caused by wet wipes and fat oil and grease incorrectly disposed of down sinks and into our sewer.
‘Southern Water is not a statutory consultee on planning applications and we are legally obliged to connect new customers.
‘We have a dedicated team which considers the impact of new development and ensures our systems can cope with new housing or businesses.’
