Villagers in Stanton Harcourt, Sutton and others are suffering as drains overflow and raw sewage leaks into roads and near homes, creating serious health concerns.
Local councillors Sandra and Steve Cosier declared the situation a “crisis” on Thursday, February 19.
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Chris Hart, a retired resident in Stanton Harcourt, said that he has had to fence off an area of his garden due to the sewage.
The 74-year-old added that originally it poured out of several outdoor drains in his neighbour’s garden who are a young family with a newborn baby.
Faeces has been seen in some gardens in Sutton and Stanton Harcourt (Image: Carole Burden)
He said: “It has now moved from my neighbour’s garden into my garden which I have now had to fence off to stop my dog from getting into it.”
People driving through Stanton Harcourt including on the B4440 are going through sewage as are people who walk by his house.
“It’s not good,” Mr Hart said, whose downstairs bathroom is also blocked with sewage.
Chris Hart has been impacted by the crisis (Image: Chris Hart)
Carole Burden, who lives in Sutton, said the situation has been ongoing for weeks.
She has a drain in her garden, which has been overflowing with wastewater including faeces that is coming close to her door.
“Gallons of wastewater is coming out of a manhole at the bottom of our property,” she said.
The wastewater is on roads and in gardens in Sutton, Stanton Harcourt and neighbouring villages (Image: Carole Burden)
A Thames Water spokesperson apologised to the residents while citing the “exceptionally wet weather”.
They said: “We are currently experiencing significant operational pressures on our network due to severe wet weather and high levels of groundwater, which has resulted in parts of the sewer system becoming overwhelmed.
“To help manage flows, we have requested a tanker to attend Black Ditch Sewage Pumping Station, which is located upstream of the affected properties.
The wastewater is on a nearby road in Stanton Harcourt meaning motorists are driving through it (Image: Chris Hart)
“This will help reduce the volume of wastewater passing through the local section of sewer.
“We are also supporting vulnerable customers in the area through our Priority Services Register, ensuring those who need extra assistance receive it.”
It is unknown whether the tanker has yet arrived.
Councillors Sandra and Steve Cosier (Image: Sandra and Steve Cosier)
Local councillors Steven and Sandra Cosier have criticised the water company’s response and said they have been ignoring complaints.
Ms Cosier said: “What we are seeing on the ground, as we try to help residents, is raw sewage seeping into gardens, drains overflowing, tankers disappearing at weekends, and pollution entering local watercourses.”
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The Liberal Democrat couple said they are liaising with the Environment Agency over a suspected sewage leak in Church Lane, Northmoor and over reports of sewage flowing into Black Ditch in Stanton Harcourt.
Mr Cosier said that it could have serious impacts for local children, especially those with health conditions.
He added: “We have written directly to the CEO of Thames Water to demand answers, because residents deserve honesty, accountability, and a long‑term plan to fix this failing infrastructure.
“The people of our villages have been dealing with this for decades. Enough is enough.”
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