An Inverness pensioner who claims he has been left ankle deep in sewage is urging Scottish Water to step up and fix local drainage issues.
Brian MacKillop has said heavy rain has previously overpowered the entire drainage system four times within a six week period, leaving his garden covered in raw sewage from neighbouring households.
The 82-year-old retired engineer added that he had been left with no choice but to trudge through the waste up to his ankles to get into his home in Islay Road, and that there was a “river of sewage” running from the garden on to the street.
He said: “The situation is disgusting. At my age, I’m in my 80s, I want to live the rest of my life not covered in other people’s sewage.
“It happens so badly that my wife, who is a very keen gardener, is reluctant to go into the garden.
“When you are sitting on your patio watching sanitary products from other house systems floating past your door, it’s so disgusting, it’s unreal.”
Following an investigation by the water board last year, officials confirmed it will be a “complex and challenging” repair and in the meantime, offered to install smart air bricks at Mr MacKillop’s home to protect the foundations.
Highlands and Islands MSP Edward Mountain has now written to Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham calling for her assistance to resolve the matter.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “We recognise that sewer flooding incidents can be unpleasant and distressing. On being made aware of this case, the environment secretary raised the issue with Scottish Water, who are the body responsible and who have visited the property to investigate the infrastructure around it.
“We understand Scottish Water has also contacted the property owners to discuss further steps that could be taken.”
A Scottish Water spokesman said: “Unfortunately, in intense rainfall events, combined sewers can be overwhelmed by very high volumes of surface water. We understand that the flooding that Mr MacKillop has experienced outside his home is unpleasant and distressing.
“Following discussion with our stakeholders, we are prioritising action to assist customers who are at risk of flooding within their homes. The findings of our investigation have been recorded and we hope there will be opportunities to do more in the future to tackle this kind of flooding.
“In the meantime, we encourage Mr MacKillop to contact us as soon as possible when flooding occurs so our local team can attend to provide assistance and clean up the affected area.”
