Family Loses Home to Sewage Contamination

A Winchester family is grappling with the aftermath of a sewage overflow that inundated their home on August 1. Will Capper received an alarming call from his partner, Lauren Slater, who reported that a manhole cover in their garden had begun to overflow. The sewage seeped into their house, soaking through the flooring, leaving the family feeling helpless and overwhelmed. Southern Water has acknowledged the distress caused by the flooding, offering a £500 goodwill payment to assist with accommodation. However, the family, which includes two young children, feels that the utility company should take greater responsibility for maintaining its infrastructure. Ms. Slater described the frantic moments as water began to enter their home, prompting her to quickly move their belongings and children to safety. Despite multiple calls to Southern Water, the family's situation has not improved. Mr. Capper expressed frustration over the classification of the incident, as Southern Water initially labeled it as "escape of water" rather than flooding. This distinction has significant implications for their insurance claim, as a letter from the loss adjuster indicated that their policy does not cover damages caused by flooding. Currently, the family is in a precarious financial situation, having exhausted their funds while trying to cope with the crisis. Mr. Capper stated, "We are in survival mode," highlighting the emotional and financial toll the incident has taken on them.