Dromore sewage problem ‘under investigation’

A Dromore woman is fearing the impact of more hot weather in the coming days as her home continues to be surrounded by raw sewage resulting from an overflowing pipe.

Sundra Forbes, who lives at Fairview Gardens, says she doesn’t know where to turn eight days after the ‘river of sewage’ engulfed her garden during heavy rain.

Ms Forbes says she has been left ‘angry and frustrated’ after repeated calls to both the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and other statutory authorities on the issue.

Over a week on from the problem first emerging, the sewage, which includes wet wipes and other toiletries, has now compacted.

“But this has made me feel angry and frustrated that nothing has been done,” she told the UH.

“I’ve been told that the problem was overlooked, but nothing has been done. It’s really bad and the sewage is still there in the back garden.

“It’s so bad that I can’t even walk down my house because there’s so much.

“This isn’t the first time that sewage has been a problem here, but it’s definitely the worst that it has been because the sewage has washed right along the front of my house. The smell has been terrible, especially with the heat because you couldn’t even open a window.

“The place is full of flies as well.

“I take great pride in my garden. I’ve done the pathway, planted roses and spent a fair bit of money.

“All of the stones are going to have to be replaced because they are covered in sewage and a flower bed has also been destroyed.”

In a statement, a spokesperson for the NI Housing Executive said, “We received a repair notice on July 6 and responded to it within 24 hours to establish the source of the problem.

“Upon investigation, it was discovered that responsibility for the matter fell to another department, who are currently investigating the issue.”