Sewage leak in Coventry garden under investigation

Severn Trent Water is investigating a sewage leak that has caused what it calls a ‘sewage river’.

Elsie Beaumont, owner of one of the affected properties in Blackberry Lane, Coventry, said: “The smell is absolutely awful.”

She said they contacted the water company on Thursday when it became clear the problem could not be fixed by a plumber.

Severn Trent said an engineer was on site to investigate the cause of the problem.

Mrs Beaumont's tenant Roger told BBC Coventry and Warwickshire he was alerted by a neighbour.

“When I went out there, there was a terrible smell and I could see the sewage in my yard,” he said.

He said he was concerned about possible contamination of surrounding areas.

Ms Beaumont said she stopped a man from walking through the water.

She added: “I don't know what it will take to clean up the mess and how deep we have to go to try to clean up some of it.”