THAMES Water has moved to ease concerns over the pumping station at North Warnborough.

The company carried out a line clean and camera survey of the sewer on February 11, where the cleaning team removed large amounts of fat and grease from the line, restoring the sewer to full operation and leaving it clear and flowing freely.

Specialists have been in and changed the programming of the pumps to make them quicker in responding to increases in flows to the station, as they believe the recent flooding was due to the operation of the pumping station rather than the lack of capacity.

Thames Water says that its team completed a clean of the wet well at the station to prevent unsuitable items causing further blockages of the pumps, and has led to further warnings to residents in the area about watching what they flush or wash away.

Fat and oil are known as the biggest causes of these ‘fatbergs’ that are being discovered more and more frequently, and the company is also asking people to avoid items such as wet wipes, nappies, cotton buds and dental floss finding their way down household drains.

In its latest correspondence with Odiham Parish Council, the company has provided pictures of two pairs of male and female underwear which were the cause of a blockage, which once removed, significantly helped water flow.

Despite Thames Water’s warnings and updates on the situation at the North Warnborough pumping station, some residents are still experiencing flooding and are demanding further answers.

One man who commented on social media said: “The fact that every time it rains for a prolonged period means my house and garden flood and the so-called reasons seem to change with every assessment still means that I can guarantee it will happen again.

“Quite frankly, those of us in North Warnborough and Mill Lane have had enough.”