Eastleigh: Pensioner’s anger at Southern Water after sewage flooding

Brian Digweed and his wife Monica, 87 and 84 respectively, have lived at The Old Forge in Chestnut Avenue, Eastleigh for over 50 years.

However, since a large housing development was built behind their beloved thatched cottage, the retirees have suffered from unwanted sewage – in and outside the property.

The Old Mansion development in North Stoneham Park got underway in 2021, with developers Highwood building a mix of three to five-bedroom homes on the 26-acre site. 

The homes are expecting to be completed this spring. 

'Dreadful floods of sewage'

Brian Digweed outside his home, near the damage caused by sewage (Image: Maya George, Newsquest)

Brian said: “Ever since they started building that huge development, we have had a surge of wastewater spewing from our drains all down the tarmac on our driveway.

“It even raises the water in our downstairs toilet up so we can’t use it, and one time it flooded our shower tray.

“Within the last few years of developers building across the road, there have been dreadful floods of sewage and it shouldn’t be happening.

“It’s destroying the tarmac on the hatches the sewage runs into. It’s bad when there’s lots of rainfall.”

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Brian said he has contacted Southern Water on several occasions, but the problem is yet to be solved.

'It's a misery'

The most recent visit by the company was on January 18 and Brian said he has been “waiting ever since” for a solution.

The 87-year-old said: “I have been on to Southern Water many, many times. It’s a real disgrace.

“When I call them and someone comes out, they just sweep away the waste down into the drain.

“Southern Water told me an engineer would come and fit a valve, but that was months ago and we haven’t seen anyone. 

“We have to be careful as it floods where we park our car, so if we’re unlucky we have to tiptoe across to reach the car.

“In a nutshell, it’s a misery.”

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An increasing issue 

Southern Water admitted “this type of problem” has increased in recent years, and apologised for the flooding.

A spokesperson said: “We’re sorry that customers in this area are experiencing flooding during high rainfall.

“Growth in the area has contributed to an already difficult geography and this type of problem has increased in recent years.

“Consultants are currently surveying in the area and we will follow their recommendations to cut the risk of overflows.

“Measures might include flood prevention devices we will place on customers’ sewer pipes -effectively one-way valves which stop wastewater and rain flowing back up from our main sewer.

“Based on the survey we may also install a new pump nearby to help our systems cope with excess water.”

Highwood declined to comment on the sewage issues. 

Eastleigh Borough Council was also approached for a comment.