In the picturesque village of Stithians, Cornwall, a dire situation has unfolded, leaving residents grappling with raw sewage and fecal matter inundating their streets and homes. The crisis has persisted for months, causing immense distress and inconvenience to the local community. Residents have reported a myriad of unsanitary items floating in the sewage, including human feces, sanitary products, toilet paper, and even hypodermic syringes. The situation has reached a boiling point, with residents demanding immediate action from South West Water (SWW), the local utility company.
The village has been battered by three consecutive storms, resulting in a deluge of water that has overwhelmed the drainage system. The drains are now gurgling with raw sewage, forcing residents to barricade their gates and front doors with sandbags. Anne Oliver, a resident in Foundry, has endured the sewage crisis firsthand, with raw sewage reaching her door three times in two weeks. She has made numerous calls to SWW, but the company's response has been inadequate, leaving her and her neighbors frustrated and desperate.
The situation has escalated to the point where residents have had to invest in pumps and generators to manage the raw sewage flowing by their doors. The sewage has overflowed drains, creating a brown sludge of faeces and sanitary products around drain covers. The property opposite Anne's home is a testament to the severity of the crisis, with a disgusting tideline of poo forming around an overflowing drain cover.
The crisis has not only affected the village's infrastructure but has also raised concerns about public health. Children have been splashed with sewage on their way to school, and residents have reported the presence of sanitary products and toilet paper in the sewage. The situation has reached a breaking point, with residents demanding a complete overhaul of the sewage pipes in the village.
The local MP, Perran Moon, has been involved in addressing the crisis, but residents have expressed frustration over the lack of immediate action. The Labour MP contacted SWW, who claimed to have tankers at the scene, but residents dispute this, highlighting the urgency of the situation. The Environmental Protection Act 1990 imposes a legal duty on Cornwall Council to act in cases of public nuisance that prejudicial to health, but residents question whether the council has fulfilled its obligations.
The crisis has sparked a debate about the effectiveness of SWW's response and the responsibility of local authorities. Residents have called for a more proactive approach to resolve the sewage crisis, emphasizing the need for a long-term solution that addresses the underlying issues with the sewage pipes. The situation in Stithians serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by rural communities in managing infrastructure and maintaining public health during extreme weather events.
