Claims children are walking through raw sewage in flooded area of Bucks

Flood victims outraged that children are walking through raw sewage ‘unaware of the danger’ will have to ‘hold their breath’ until water levels retreat, it has been revealed.

Thames Water said until floodwaters recede and levels in the sewers drop, it is impossible for it to clear Chalfont St Peter of waste matter overflowing into the streets.

Enraged residents took to social media to criticise the utility company they claim is ‘paying lip service’ to a problem that has been happening “for years”.

They said the plight of locals has been “extremely bad” for well over a week, with ‘children and pets walking through sewage spreading disease’.

One person said the response had been “absolutely shameful”.

Resident Matt Thomas formed an action group on Twitter to call out the areas worst affected.

“I just wanted to use Twitter…to raise the profile of this historic issue,” he said. “Directly there are five properties constantly affected – First Financial Solutions, The Frost Partnership, The Greyhound Inn, La Bodega Tapas, and Calme Health and Beauty.

“The Greyhound and La Bodega have had sewage inside their properties constantly.”

On Twitter Mr Thomas wrote:

“Raw sewage continues to flood high street, pavements, historic issue but extremely bad over last ten days, still leaking.

“Thames Water not willing to sort, pay lip service to it, children and pets walking through sewage as unaware what it is and it spreads disease.”

Another person wrote: “@thameswater come and pay us a visit in Chalfont St Peter village centre and inspect the sewage that has flooded our high street, it’s been happening for years, absolutely shameful.”

In an online response, Buckinghamshire Council replied: “Our team are currently working with Thames Water to resolve this.”

A spokesman for Thames Water said: “We know sewer flooding is horrible and we sympathise with anyone affected. We’re working hard to keep our sewers working as normal following the very heavy rain. We’ve got as many engineers as possible visiting homes and business to help customers across the region.

“Rainwater, along with floodwater from the river and surrounding roads and fields, has overwhelmed our sewers, meaning the pipes are full. When this happens, sewage diluted by the flood water backs up through manholes and spills out, mixing with the already dirty water above ground.

“Until the floodwater recedes and levels in the sewers drop, it’s impossible for us to clean up the affected areas. If we tried pumping the water away while the sewers are still at capacity, more would just flow out and fill the space again.

“We appreciate the wait is frustrating for property owners and are committed to getting to everyone as soon as we can.”