Water misery for Kelty couple
Gary Fitzpatrick • Published 30 Jul 2012 09:30
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A RETIRED Kelty couple are "at their wits' end" over water getting in the foundations of their home.
The problem has been plaguing John and Irene Telford, both 65-year-olds, at their bungalow in Cocklaw Street for 18 months.
"I've tried everything to find out where this water is coming from but we've had no help from the council or Scottish Water. Nobody seems to know," said Mr Telford.
The couple has been suffering since the start of last year when they wondered where the foul smell was coming from.
"It was sewage water getting in. My wife was ill and since then she's had as many chest infections," added Mr Telford.
"I've got as many health problems myself. I'm a diabetic, have arthritis and take heart pills.
"Having worked for 42 years and buying this bungalow for our retirement we hoped we could enjoy what time we have left but I'm spending all my time phoning and writing letters about this.
"It's costing a fortune on phone calls but we're getting nowhere and the council say they're having nothing more to do with it. The carpets, the underlays are all ruined."
After the torrential rain last week, Mr Telford said he reckoned there was two feet of water under his home.
He said, "We're at the end of our tether over this. My wife was so depressed the other day. There's no sign of an end to it all."
Their local councillor Alex Rowley has been trying to help the couple and has written to senior council officers.
He said in his letter, "I have had many dealings with this couple over the last nineteen months due to the fact that water is coming into the founds of their house and causing all sorts of problems.
"The couple believe the problem only started after road and pavement works were carried out in Cocklaw Street.
"I understand that both Fife Council and Scottish Water have carried out works to see where the water is coming from and both say it is nothing to do with them.
"I am requesting all the information available on what the council has done to date as I am concerned that these pensioners have this problem and believe that the council and the water company are not interested in them.
"I am asking for an investigation into this situation that can draw a conclusion as to where the water is coming from.
"The lady told me today that they have over seven inches of water under their floor boards and no one is interested and no one cares about them. Her husband says Fife council now refuse to come out.
"These pensioners are at their wits end, they have lived in the house for ten years and say it is only within the last 19 months that the water started to run into the property.
"They say the insurance companies, the lawyers, Scottish Water and Fife Council have all abandoned them and left them not knowing what to do and the impact on their health is very detrimental not to mention their mental state of mind."
Angus Carmichael, Service Manager Network Management with the council's transportation and environmental services said, "This has been ongoing for some time and has caused a great deal of inconvenience to Mr and Mrs Telford.
"I have been in contact with Mr Telford to discuss the situation and have arranged to meet with Scottish Water on Wednesday (yesterday) to look at this case in more detail and agree a way forward as soon as we can."
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