Newcastle Couple Seeks Answers After Two Months Living in Caravan
A couple in Newcastle is demanding answers after being forced to live in a caravan for two months due to repeated pipe bursts in their home
Newcastle, UK, Pipe Burst, Caravan Living, Northumbrian Water
Newcastle: A couple has been living in a caravan for two months after their home was flooded. Alan Coleman and Terry Thoburn are understandably frustrated. Their house in High Heaton became unlivable after a plumbing joint burst last October. This was the third time in nine years they faced such a disaster.
They feel anxious about leaving their home, fearing another leak could happen. They want Northumbrian Water to compensate them for the damage. The couple believes that high water pressure is the culprit behind their issues, but the water company insists everything is fine on their end.
After returning from a short holiday, they got a call from a neighbor saying water was pouring out of their front door. By the time they got back, the ground floor was severely damaged. They estimate repairs will cost over £20,000, which is a huge hit for anyone.
Living in the caravan drew attention from neighbors, and they found out many others had similar problems. Over 30 residents have signed a petition asking Northumbrian Water to lower the pressure to prevent future floods and leaks.
Alan shared that the stress from these floods has really taken a toll on his mental health. He’s now scared to leave the house unattended. Northumbrian Water measured the pressure at their home at 5.8 bar, which is pretty high. They claim that 24% of the area’s water network has similar pressure levels.
Alan, who has lived in the area for over 30 years, said the support from neighbors has been great. They didn’t realize how widespread the issue was until they started talking to others. Now, they’re pushing for change with their petition.
Ofwat, the water regulator, says companies should ensure high pressure doesn’t damage homes. Northumbrian Water claims their pressure levels are normal and that reducing it could cause issues for homes at higher elevations.
A spokesperson for the company said they’ve looked into the couple’s concerns and found no issues with their network. They believe the flooding is due to problems with the couple’s internal plumbing, which is the homeowner’s responsibility.
Local councillor Greg Stone is worried that if high pressure is the issue, it could affect more homes in the future. He’s asked Northumbrian Water if they can find a solution to lower the pressure, but it seems they’re not keen on spending the money to do so.