A family has been battling to prevent their drive from flooding with human faeces for the last 17 years.
Rob Shephard, 55, has been in dispute with United Utilities for a number of years over the persistent flooding at his parents' home on Altway, Aintree. His mum and dad live at the home and have done since 1974, but since 2006 they have had human faeces and toilet paper littering their driveway.
Although Alf and Jean haven't been plagued with gushing soiled water in 18 months, every time it rains they worry it's going to be the next wave of flooding. The cause of the flooding has been a contentious topic that has been disputed by United Utilities.
READ MORE: Schoolgirl kicked and punched in head in sickening attack at party
The Shephards believe that the flooding is the result of non-return valves being installed in 2005 to prevent flooding in another part of the area, with the water overflowing just months after the valves were fitted. However, United Utilities said "historical works in the area are not causing the flooding".
The water provider said it has been in regular contact with the affected residents regarding the "distressing issue" and it is "committed to exploring solutions to the flooding."
Rob told the ECHO: "We've lived here since 1974 and it never flooded before 2006. We could get a valve fitted privately but it would then just potentially pass the problem onto our neighbour and cause them to flood.
"We've not flooded for 18 months but we don't know why we haven't flooded. I stayed here last night (Thursday, January, 5) I was worried the entire time that it was going to flood with the heavy rain."
Alf added: "The real difficulty is when it comes to eventually selling the house because we will have to declare it [the flooding]."
A spokesperson for United Utilities said: “We have been in regular contact with the residents of a property on Altway regarding the distressing issue of recurring flooding to their driveway and garden, with the most recent event reported to us in July 2021. Our latest meeting with the residents was in December 2022, where we again explained that the historical works in the area are not causing flooding to the property.
“As well as carrying out cleaning and CCTV surveys of the sewers, we have installed our state-of-the-art digital monitors to gather data on how they are operating. This information is providing us with valuable insight into the performance of the sewer network and any issues that need to be resolved. The monitors haven’t highlighted any issues since they were installed, and we will continue to review this data and share the reports with the customer through our regular updates to him.
“We are committed to exploring solutions to the flooding, and are doing this with a view of the level of risk and cost-effectiveness of any potential intervention. Again, we will keep in touch with the customer regarding any appropriate mitigations that are suggested through our modelling and analysis.
“We will also continue to attend as a matter of urgency following any reported flooding, and have offered to carry out driveway enhancements as a goodwill gesture.”
Although the water company has offered to complete work on the driveway, Rob explained that it wouldn't be feasible due to his parents' ages, with his dad being 88 and his mum being 85. He added: "I think it's harder now my parents have got older as well.
"The last time it flooded I got a phone call asking me what to do but I can't do anything because I work in Cambridge. When they were younger it was something they could get over. When the water washes away the faeces and toilet roll are left on the ground."
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
Tempers flare in court as boy, 14, found guilty of murdering teen
Man's chance meeting with woman on night out ruined his entire life
Heartbreak as 'caring soul' mum and radio presenter dies
Liverpool woman travels two hours to buy Prime drink for £100 at Wakey Wines
