THE long-standing problem of flooding in Prestwick has been raised at the Scottish Parliament after Scottish Water admitted to being unable to “produce a technical solution”.

Heavy rainfall disallows sewage systems in various areas of Prestwick to cope with the excess load, which results in the main sewer backing up and depositing raw sewage into many properties.

This sewage often contains human faeces, toilet tissue and many other items that are potentially hazardous to the health of the residents.

The flooding is not only present in gardens, outhouses and garages but has resulted in some properties being designated as at risk of internal flooding.

A spokesman for Prestwick Residents Action Against Flooding said: “Over the years, Scottish Water have been contacted individually by many residents regarding the misery suffered by the flooding.

"Scottish Water have put a few ‘sticking plaster’ solutions in place, however they have recently admitted that they are unable to produce a technical solution to resolve this situation.”

David Bowman, a resident affected by the flooding in Prestwick told the Ayr Advertiser Series that he and other residents have had to modify their properties to block water from seeping in. 

He said: “People around my area are having to remove and replace the rafters in the flooring because they have rotted away due to the water coming into the house and concrete has had to be put in between the solum of the flooring to stop the water coming through. In my house, I have had to put in air bricks to stop water coming through.

“I have also had to put in 300mm walls next to my garage, which means I can’t use my garage for my car anymore. The deepest point of water at my house has been 10 inches.

"This happens two or three times a year and Scottish Water contacted me and said that they would have a solution for this by March 2018 but now they are saying that they don’t have a technical solution.”

A spokesperson for Scottish Water, commented: “Scottish Water fully acknowledges the significant inconvenience that flooding to properties can cause and it is an issue we take very seriously.

"Currently, Scottish Water’s investment focus is on customers who have experienced and are at highest risk of repeat internal sewer flooding. This is in line with investment priorities agreed with our customers across Scotland and set by Scottish Ministers. 

"There are two properties at risk of internal flooding in this part of Prestwick [Brandon Gardens] and, where possible, Scottish Water has provided interim flooding mitigation or installed protection measures.

"There was external flooding experienced in the area and a full clean-up was carried out.

"We are continuing to develop and evaluate the options in the area and, once we have completed this in the coming months, we expect to be able to give an indication of our future plans.”

A recent motion was raised by John Scott MSP at Holyrood on Monday, September 18.

The motion states that “the Parliament notes the long standing issue of flooding across several residential areas of Prestwick; understands that these problems have been faced by local homeowners over many years; notes that Prestwick has been identified in SEPA’s National Flood Risk Assessment as having a significant flood risk; believes that the flooding endured by local residents requires to be addressed, and calls on the Scottish Government to ensure that measures to deal with external sewer flooding in Prestwick is included in future programmes.”