Mystery illness investigated

Health officials are monitoring reports of a mystery illness affecting residents of a street in Somerset following complaints sewage was backing up into people's baths and toilets.

A number of people living in Silver Street, Chard, have suffered itchy skin, rashes and upset stomachs.

The sickness follows an investigation by South Somerset District Council environmental health officers into the drainage system at the housing association homes in November.

Families living in the houses and flats complained to Raglan Housing Association of dirty water and sewage backing up the pipes into their baths and toilets when it rained heavily.

Itchy spots

Resident Naomi Singleton told BBC Somerset Sound: "When it rains I have problems with my downstairs toilet. You can get sewage coming up. Occasionally, if it's a really heavy downpour, it will come up through the bath.

"My son has had a similar rash to the one my neighbour has got. It's like little spots that get very itchy and then go scabby."

Another resident, Beverly Collins, said that, although she had not experienced problems with sewage, she had been suffering from ill health since she moved into Silver Street.

She added: "My children itch the whole time. I have talked to my neighbours and they are all suffering from the same problems."

Somerset's Health Protection Unit, which is investigating the complaint, has found no evidence of an infectious outbreak among residents.

Raw sewage

Raglan Housing Association confirmed it was investigating a problem with the sewage but said it was not yet known if the complaints of illness among residents were linked.

Mike Hanrahan, head of housing services at the association, said the problem had been identified with the help of Wessex Water and work would take place at the start of the new year to improve the drainage system.

He added: "We regard this as a very serious problem. It is totally unacceptable that raw sewage is getting into people's sanitary fittings.

"Although a link has not been established between the reports of illness and the sewage problem, we are concerned about people's health and hope to remedy any problem as soon as possible."