It took four days, four United Utilities crews, council sandbags and support from an MP to sort out flooding and sewage up to a foot deep in Ellesmere Port.
The headache arose on West Road, where retired university lecturer Ruth Lee, 55, found that sewage – thought to have been caused by baby wipes – had backed up the system and flooded her garden.
“It reached my back door step and was threatening to come into the house,” she said.
“When I reported it to United Utilities I was told they would come out within the next two days up till 10pm.
“They didn’t come Thursday so I rang to check it was still on their list and was told it would be anytime up to Saturday at 10pm, making it three days’ wait. This is when I got on to Mr Madders’ office.”
Ellesmere Port and Neston MP Justin Madders promptly tweeted the company and asked: “Why do you think that it is acceptable for people to wait over two days for a response to sewage flooding into gardens?”
He followed up with: “You were contacted early yesterday morning by residents in West Road, one of whom is disabled. We need action now."
Ruth said the flooding was ‘up to a foot deep in places' at its worst. She says United Utilities kept delaying coming out to her property but once the MP got involved, they came and said they had fixed it.
United Utilities pointed to baby wipes as the cause.
Mr Madders said: “I was disappointed the initial response was so slow but I’m pleased following my intervention United Utilities worked over the weekend to resolve the issue.
“I must pass on my thanks to the team involved as well as the council who reacted quickly to provide sandbags."
A United Utilities spokesman said: “We’re very sorry for the flooding from our sewer network and the impact this had.
“The sewer is going to be completely cleaned to ensure it’s flowing as operationally designed to do.
“And we would also urge our customers to avoid flushing wet wipes down the toilet which are a massive contributor to causing blockages.
A thankful Ruth baked a chocolate Swiss roll and took it in to Mr Madders' Whitby Road office to say thank you.
“They are always superbly supportive and helpful,” she said.
