RAW sewage that was spilling out of a manhole for more than three weeks in Sherfield English has finally been investigated.

The sewage was discovered in Steplake Lane and since then the water company, Southern Water, has been urged to fix the problem, according to Cllr Nick Adams-King, who represents Blackwater on Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC).

The councillor claimed Southern Water initially insisted housing company, Aster Group, should take responsibility for the leak as it owns properties in a neighbouring road.

However, the water company has now revealed it believes it has resolved the problem after sending a contractor to the site on Tuesday.

Before Southern Water responded to the Advertiser, Cllr Adams-King explained his frustration over the leak.

He said: “No matter whose responsibility this is, the leak is unsanitary, disgusting and a risk to the health of those living nearby. “Rather than playing a blame game, the two organisations involved should arrange for the leak to be fixed without delay.”

Daily Echo: The raw sewage in Sherfield English

A spokesperson from Southern Water apologised for the “frustration” caused by the ongoing leak, but still insisted the drainage in Steplake Lane was not its responsibility.

The company said: “The drainage within Steplake Lane is private and not the responsibility of Southern Water.

“However, we sent a contractor on March 2 to Eastwood, who traced and then cleared a blockage in the public sewer nearby, which we believe has now resolved the issue.”

A spokesperson from Aster Group also said it sent a drainage team to the site but that it had not received any reports of problems at its properties or in the villag