The leaking pump which has spewed raw sewage into a West Watford housing estate is being investigated by both the Government's Environment Agency and Watford Borough Council.

The council has also threatened to take “further action” against the company responsible if the problem on Faraday Court, off Vicarage Road is not resolved soon.

The move comes after a sanitation pump on the private development became overwhelmed and flooded down Stripling Way on Christmas Eve. Residents on the road reported four further floods on the road between then and New Year’s Eve.

The Environment Agency said it had been notified about the situation and sent officers down. A spokesman for the agency said: “A private maintenance company repaired the pump and washed down the street however, on January 2 the pump failed again and caused similar problems.

“The firm has now installed systems to give early warning of any further failure.

“The Environment Agency is carrying out an investigation into the incident.”

Watford Borough Council said it was also now monitoring the situation.

A council spokesman said: “Listening to the residents and looking through the history to this site it appears that the system being used to deal with waste is inadequate. Environmental Health has today asked Crabtree Property Management to demonstrate the system is fit for purpose and adequately maintained.

“If progress is not made the council may take further action.”