Shocking second rivers of human waste circulate via newbuild property and rats run riot – as builders blame residents for flushing nappies down the bathroom

This is the harrowing scene of human waste being pumped through a newbuild estate as residents are plagued with rats scurrying along the smelly streets. 

The shocking clip, filmed by Leigh Hawkins, shows soiled tissue and human excrement streaming like a river through the streets of Whitstable Heights, Kent. 

The 42-year-old was on her way to visit a friend on St Luke Close when she was stopped in her tracks by disgusting and pungent overspill.

She says the estate developed by Hyde Homes, has been plagued by the grim issue since construction on the unfinished housing project began in 2019.

However Hyde Homes, who is responsible for maintaining the estate, has laid blame with locals flushing nappies, sanitary products and wipes  down the toilet.   

Leigh Hawkins who lives on the estate in  Whitstable Heights, Kent claims residents have been plagued with pungent problems since construction began on a neighbouring housing project in 2019

The shocking clip, filmed by Ms Hawkins, shows soiled tissue and human excrement streaming like a river through the streets – an issue she says is attracting an influx of rats (Pictured)

Rats found on her property by the appalled 42-year-old mother as the streets on the estate are filled with poo and soiled toilet roll

Once complete, Whitstable Heights is expected to be made up of 400 homes ranging between two, three and four bedrooms. 

However it is currently filled with waste and rats running a muck, with Ms Hawkins pointing out that ‘lumps of human poo in the road’ aren’t an uncommon occurrence.

‘It’s disgusting. There are literally lumps of human poo in the road – the smell was just rank, as you can imagine,’ Ms Hawkins said.

‘It’s pure, raw sewage running down the road. It was running all down into the rainwater drain as well. There was tissue all up the road.

‘I’ve lived here for 12 years and this never happened until the estate went up.’

Reliving the grim ordeal, which took place last Saturday, she said: ‘That’s when I come across all of that, all over the road and all over the floor.

‘My friends said that it’s happening all the time. Every six weeks her drains are blocked. It seems to be a massive issue and it’s getting worse and worse.’

The resident the pungent problem has attracted rats to the estate which has many children and is used regularly by dog walkers.

‘My sewage drains have also been blocking up and they’ve had to come and rod them out,’ she said. 

‘It’s disgusting. There are literally lumps of human poo in the road – the smell was just rank, as you can imagine,’ Ms Hawkins said

‘There’s also a massive influx of rats. It’s disgusting. They’re coming up through the drains and everything. I’ve never seen so many.

‘They’re literally running rampant through the sewage system. I think it’s flooding one end, then they’re trying to escape the water.

‘I’ve never known it to be this bad with the rats and the sewage. Never.’

Developer Hyde Homes apologised this week and says it is ‘advising’ people of the correct way to dispose of rubbish.

Southern Water, which helped with the recent clear-up, says the developer and housing firm responsible for the estate are in charge of maintenance.

Southern Water spokesperson said: ‘The manhole isn’t one of our assets. It is a private manhole so the housing company and the developer are responsible. 

‘However, we helped resolve this issue as it was polluting our surface water network and impacting the local area.’ 

A spokesperson for Hyde Homes: ‘We know how distressing this has been for customers, which is why we’ve investigated this issue quickly when it happened at the weekend. 

Hyde Homes, who is responsible for maintaining the estate, has laid blame with locals flushing nappies, sanitary products and wipes down the toilet

‘Southern Water dealt with the initial clearance, and on Monday morning our site team then jet washed and disinfected the affected area, leaving everything clean and tidy.

‘We can reassure our residents that the drainage system is in good order and has sufficient capacity for the entire development. 

‘The flooding was localised to one part of the site and the cause was traced back to a specific blockage caused by nappies, wipes and sanitary products. 

‘Once cleared, the drains are now free flowing and functioning normally.

‘Unfortunately, there have been three similar incidents over the last couple of years. We’re working with the community, advising them of the issues caused, and reminding them of the correct way to dispose of rubbish.’