Woman's garden sewage ordeal ends after 10 months

A woman whose garden was used to pump raw sewage for 10 months has said she is pleased that repairs have finally been completed.

Melissa Stroud's home in Pamber Heath, near Tadley in Hampshire, became a base for Thames Water engineers after a sewer collapsed nearby last June.

The company said complications had delayed the work from its original planned completion dates in February and March. It apologised for the distress caused to residents.

"Now that the work is complete, we will now look to reinstating the gardens of residents affected and will remain in constant communication to provide them with further updates," a spokesperson said.

Stroud had tankers constantly parked outside her house so that Thames Water could have 24-hour access to a manhole in her garden.

The smell was so bad she was unable to open the windows of her home and said the odour hangs around the house and inside her car.

"I'm pleased to hear they are taking it seriously and that they are apologising," Stroud told BBC Radio Berkshire.

"On that day [when worked started in June] I returned home to find my gate open, my sewer open. [There was] No fence, kids were playing around the area. I also found a folder of papers left in my garden."

She said previously that the ordeal was an "absolute nightmare" and was visited by Thames Water's chief executive Chris Weston in February.

At the time, she said she was grateful for the opportunity to speak to Weston and received his "heartfelt apologies".

Thames Water's spokesperson added: "After completing what was an extremely complex repair of the collapsed sewer on schedule in March, we had to structurally reline it before the sewer network in the affected area could be reinstated.

"Unfortunately, an additional complication was discovered that meant changing how we had to line the sewer and specialist robotic cutter equipment was required.

"While work was originally scheduled for 21 March, this was moved to 7 April and was due to take place for two days.

"However, our on-site team noted that additional sewer lining was needed, pushing the completion date to 10 April.

"We sincerely apologise to residents for this delay."

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