Residents of Teynham, Kent, are dealing with frequent raw sewage leaks, claiming their rapidly growing village feels like a "Third World Country".
The 3,000-strong community near Sittingbourne experiences regular sewage overflows onto the streets with residents reporting they are unable to flush their toilets or use their showers.
The situation could become even more dire as 298 more homes have been granted planning permission, which locals claim will only exacerbate the levels of sewage.
Residents describe situation as 'disgusting'
Wayne Kennett, a resident of Frognal Lane, highlighted the severity of the issue, noting that the last major leak in May left the area "stinking to high hell" for three days.
He expressed frustration over the outdated infrastructure, stating: "In this day and age, to have raw sewage coming out of manhole covers in the street is disgusting. It just should not happen."
Wayne also fears the situation will deteriorate further with the construction of 298 new homes recently approved by local authorities.
The approval comes despite Southern Water's admission that their current system can only handle 50 new homes without requiring reinforcement.
This has led to significant concerns among the villagers. Wayne, who now distils his tap water out of health fears, stated: "The system is old and outdated and cannot cope with what is already here.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."
Robert Requena, another long-term resident, echoed these sentiments, describing the leaks as a "disgrace" and a serious health hazard. He criticised the approval of the new homes, arguing that the village's infrastructure, including its roads and drainage systems, is already under significant strain.
"The junction between Frognal Lane and Frognal Gardens already floods after heavy rain, and adding more homes will only make things worse," he said.
Councillors say 'this is 21st-century Britain, for goodness sake'
Local council members, including Cllr Paul Townson and Cllr Julien Speed, have voiced strong opposition to the development.
They argue that no new homes should be built until Southern Water provides detailed, budgeted, and timetabled plans to address the existing sewage problems.
Cllr Speed 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."
Southern Water promise infrastructure upgrades
Southern Water has acknowledged the issues, attributing them primarily to groundwater infiltration during wet weather and blockages from improperly disposed of waste such as wet wipes and fats.
A spokesperson stated: "We are investigating the issues raised. Manholes overflowing are caused by both weather-related groundwater forcing its way into pipes and blockages due to improper waste disposal."
Chartway, the developer behind the Frognal Lane scheme, defends the project, emphasising the benefits it will bring, including much-needed family homes and a £4.2 million contribution to local infrastructure.
This includes the expansion of Teynham Primary School and the offer to transfer land ownership for community facilities to the parish council.
Despite these assurances, residents remain deeply concerned about the village's future. They fear that without significant upgrades to the sewage and drainage systems, the addition of nearly 300 new homes will lead to further environmental and public health issues.
As Southern Water and local authorities continue to navigate these challenges, the people of Teynham are left waiting for a sustainable solution to their ongoing sewage crisis.
