At least one child has reportedly become ill in one of the worst areas for sewage contamination in the district.
Thames Water (TW) has said groundwater infiltration and hydraulic overload are responsible for raw sewage discharging from its network into streets and properties across West Berkshire.
And residents of Hampstead Norreys are some of the worst affected, living with the stench of human waste on their properties for months.
Kate Howlett has lived in the village for 10 years and claims four of her family members have been hospitalised this year with breathing and stomach problems.
Her youngest grandchild, aged nine months, fell into a pool of sewage by their trampoline last week.
The five manholes on her property have been discharging into her garden and caused sewage to back up into her kitchen and bathroom at least four times since December.
“We’re at one of the lowest points here,” she said.
“As we used the kitchen sink, fresh sewage would come up each time we poured water. We can’t wash up.
“It’s difficult to get out of the house.”
But she said TW told her it was her responsibility to clear the manholes.
A TW engineer visited her property one evening last week and again this morning (Thursday).
She added: “We’ve tried our best, and so has our landlady and the people from Thames Water.
“But at this stage of the game, it’s all too late.
“It’s people taking money out for greed and not putting it where it’s supposed to be.
“It now needs major investment before it gets to next winter to stop this happening again.
“And I can’t see that happening with a bankrupt company.”
Mrs Howlett also claimed: “They [TW engineers] have been told they cannot deal with us if we’re dealing with the press.
“One chap came this week and I told him press were coming the next day and he ran from the property.
“He also said they can’t rod the drains because this then pushes the problem downstream.
“But in the meantime, we can’t use our toilets, shower or washing machine.”
Mrs Miller revealed she and her family plan to leave their property soon.
Stephen Miller, a parish councillor and resident for 20 years, has avoided the same ordeal thanks only to the manhole discharging wastewater into the stream flowing through his front garden – so long as it remains clear.
He unclogs the drain of faeces, wet wipes, tampons and toilet paper at least twice a day.
TW has visited his property on three occasions since he first reported the issue on January 13.
He said: “When TW came along, they seemed most concerned the river would overflow and enter the sewer.
“I don’t think it could go into the sewer, because the groundwater pressure wouldn’t let it.
“Their solution was to build up the height of the inspection chamber so the river doesn’t get in.
“I said the next inspection chamber is in my garage. So, if it doesn’t come out here, it will come out there.”
Some anonymous artists have produced graffiti and renamed road signs to reflect the dire situation, changing Water Street to read ‘Sewage Street’ – since removed.
But it’s not just the villages which have suffered.
Newbury resident Malachy Gordon, in Newport Road, endured about eight weeks of sewage flooding his home and garden earlier this year.
Mr Gordon worked for TW in the 1980s – and said they never had problems like this then.
He told the water company his problem was due to a blockage at a specific section of the drain in his street, but said he was ignored.
Thames Water incorrectly attributed the issue to an overloaded pump station in Faraday Road.
On March 14, a TW spokesperson wrote back to him saying: “Following an attendance today (March 14), we have located and cleared a blockage in our network.
“Unfortunately, this was not identified on any of our previous attendances.
“Our previous conclusion was incorrect.
“We have now removed a significant blockage of fat, oil, grease and baby wipes from Mr Gordon’s shared lateral drain.
“These materials should never be discharged into our sewer network.
“However, we recognise our inability to identify this as the root cause of the blockage significantly prolonged Mr Gordon’s situation.”
“I kept at them every week,” he said. “In the end, their call centre asked me to stop calling.”
Mr Gordon received £750 in compensation.
When asked how he would fix TW based on his experience, he responded: “Maggie Thatcher privatised everything, and now we’re reaping the rewards of it.
“TW is knackered. It needs a massive infrastructure investment.”
TW has been approached for comment.
