The recent heavy rainfall has left much of the UK sodden, with gardens turned into ponds and roads awash with rainwater which cannot be taken away by the overflowing drainage system.
The rainfall levels are markedly higher at this time of year than at any point in recent history which has left many London drainage residents faced with problems caused by flooding due to swollen rivers and by sewer flooding.
In response to the heavy rainfall and the sheer number of customer calls Thames Water have received over the last couple of weeks they have released a statement on their website explaining that call times are longer than usual and sympathising with people who are suffering because of the flooding.
The statement reads:
“We are currently receiving a lot of reports from our customers about flooding and drainage problems caused by heavy recent rainfall overwhelming rivers and streams, and in turn our sewerage system in some areas.
“While our 109,000km network of sewers across London and the Thames Valley is operating largely as it should, it is struggling with the sheer volume of water going through it after one of the wettest years on record, where for December alone we are set to receive up to 200% of the average rainfall for the month.
“Ground, which is already sodden following our wettest-ever summer, is like a soaked sponge, so flood water is running across the surface and into our sewers, which are designed to take wastewater from homes and businesses, not rivers too.
“While the volume of calls we are getting from customers means our response times are likely to be slower than normal, we are trying our best to prioritise people most in need of help. We sympathise deeply with people affected by flooding, and we are doing everything we can to help where possible.”