DISGUSTED residents have been left holding their noses in Diglis after a blocked drain created a stink when it erupted in a fountain of raw sewage, spewing out poo and used condoms.
The geyser of raw sewage began bubbling out of a drain in the middle of Waverley Street in Diglis in Worcester yesterday morning (Thursday) and had already started to push its way out of a second.
Condoms, poo, toilet paper and sanitary products were spotted in the foul-smelling water as it gushed along the road, yards from Diglis Playing Fields. Cars were seen driving through it, pushing the rancid wake towards homes in Waverley Street.
It comes after flood waters closed the road in January, which also left a residue of raw sewage covering the road and pavements.
However, Jo Musson, 63, is concerned that despite only a small amount of rainfall this time, the drains were quickly unable to cope.
Mrs Musson, who contacted Severn Trent Water as soon as she spotted the problem, said: "We are worried it has happened so quickly this time with so little rain. It happened this morning after one night of rain. The last time it happened was in January when the whole road was blocked.
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"This is not just water. It's sewage. And it's not coming from the river. It's coming from the sewer.
"The reason I have raised it is that we haven't had much rain but this happened straight away. I have reported it to Severn Trent and they have replied to me and said it's possible there is a blockage somewhere which is why it's happened so quickly.
"I'm really more worried about the bigger issue - 'why this is happening?' There is still raw sewage from the last flood. It's got to be a health hazard."
However, she said she was told Severn Trent may not be able to get someone out to look at the drain until February 11. She said she and other residents wanted a permanent solution as the issue appeared to recur regularly.
A Severn Trent spokesperson said: “Following very heavy rainfall today, a team was quickly in the area to begin a clean-up operation, which they will complete once floodwaters have subsided. Once that has happened, we will ensure the area is fully cleansed.
“We have also begun an investigation to understand how we can stop this issue from happening again, given we’re facing such significant wet weather.
“We would like to apologise for this incident as we know how upsetting and disrupting this can be for local people.”
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