Leak forces Bushey woman to sweep up 'bacteria infested sludge'

Jo Willis, 66, said she has had her garden in School Lane, Bushey, dug up three times to deal with the water, which keeps coming back.

Mrs Willis added that she is frustrated when passers-by wonder aloud why she has not done anything about the “horrible” problem outside her house, despite the fact she has reported it numerous times since June.

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Mrs Willis said: “Its horrendous, you get pregnant women pushing prams into the road because they can’t walk on the pavement.

“When the schools on the road were open kids had to go past it. 

"I hear people asking why I’m not doing anything about it and its not me. It’s so horrible and it smells too.

The leak, in School Lane

“I go out to sweep it up now. It’s not my job to go out and sweep up water from the pavement but it’s an absolute health hazard.”

Jo said she has been told that a separate leak, which a nearby homeowner is responsible for, needs to be cleared up before work can start.

Jo Willis “Affinity Water said another leak needs to be cleared up, which could take six weeks, before they can act.

“I don’t know how many times I have to say it to them, but the two issues are separate!”

The leak first became an issue last October.

Mrs Willis said her garden was dug up three times before she was told the issue was fixed, despite returning in June this year.

The leak being addressed last year

She added: “This has been going on since last year outside my house. They didn’t make the repair level they just got to the last day, sealed it up, and left.

“Now we are back where we were last year but worse. It looks like black tar but it's basically bacteria infested sludge.”

A spokesperson for Affinity Water said: “This is an unprecedented time for the water industry with the sustained hot weather spell.

"Our key workers are working round the clock to keep the taps flowing and to deal with repairs as and when they may arise.”

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