Ongoing issues with sewage pipe blockages in the Pentlepoir area have been discussed by the local community council.

Reporting to the most recent meeting of East Willliamston Community Council, Clr. Jacob Williams, the county councillor for the ward told fellow members that he had been surprised to learn of the ongoing problem of sewage pipe blockages for certain properties on Pentle Drive.

Not since non-return valves had been installed by Welsh Water many years ago had he received such reports he explained. However he had recently been contacted by a resident who was indirectly affected, who told him that, whilst their property’s drains were not subject to blockages, every time one did occur for neighbouring properties, Welsh Water's contractors had to access their own garden's inspection hatch.

In correspondence with Welsh Water, Clr. Williams had been told: “Our records show that we’ve received several reports from the above location in the past 12 months. However, on numerous occasions we did not find any issues, or the reports were cancelled by the residents.”

The email continued: “Historically, the sewer in the village has experienced hydraulic overload during periods of heavy rainfall. To help mitigate this we installed non-return valves (NRV) at the affected properties in Pentle Drive, to reduce the risk of flooding. Occasionally, during periods of heavy rainfall the NRV can cause a short period of restricted facilities, however this is fully restored when the rain eases.

“The sewer on Pentle Drive is on a three-monthly cleanse to ensure there is no build-up of debris behind the non-return valves. Additionally, the main sewer network which runs from Pentle Drive down to Begelly is also on a 12 monthly cleanse. This is to help reduce a build-up of fat and grease which can cause a blockage to form on the sewer. We’ve undertaken audits within the village to help share the impact sewer misuse has on the residents and the environment.”

Clr. Williams said that whilst he was grateful to Welsh Water's attention on this matter - both their reply to his query, and their prompt response when blockages are reported by residents - he stated that he was rather surprised at the suggestion of blockage reports being cancelled by residents, and the suspicion of heavy rainfall contributing.

Indeed, Clr. Williams stated that he had been told that on one day a few weeks ago, contractors came out to clear two blockages within hours of each other, on a day with no notable rainfall to speak of.

He told fellow councillors, that he was going to continue to request that Welsh Water look into the problem, which he believes needed preventative action, as the constant upheaval of clearing blockages was not fair on residents, and shouldn't be acceptable to Welsh Water, even though their contractors are diligent in responding to these episodes, which he knows are particularly unpleasant.