Gorleston council tenant faces giant puddle in living room

The floors inside Edward Stewart's Western Road flat in Gorleston have been repeatedly dug up over the past three decades as water leaks continue to impact his living conditions.

According to water meter data up to 1,000 litres a day of water is being 'used' at the flat - where the daily average for a household is 349 litres.

The 68-year-old retired taxi driver has been diagnosed with multiple illnesses - including arthritis, Type 2 diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) - whose symptoms could be worsened by the build-up of moisture in the air and mould climbing his window frames.

Mould climbing the walls of Edward Stewart's Gorleston council home. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)Mr Stewart, known locally as 'Uncle Albert', had been told he could be relocated to a bungalow nearby while repairs take place.

However, since packing his belongings in September, he has been living out of boxes with no sign of when he will move.

Great Yarmouth Borough has said new accommodation has now been offered to Mr Stewart and the current property is to be repaired and fixed before it is re-let.

"In the last few months, the leak has just got bigger and bigger," Mr Stewart said.

"I keep saying I'll manage, but I'm worried about the effect this is having on me overall.

"I shouldn't be living in these circumstances. Christmas is around the corner and I can't bear being in a place like this."

Edward Stewart standing in front of some of the furniture he has had to throw away because of the water leak. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)Mr Stewart said the issue began around eight years ago. He began losing pressure in his boiler and council workers dug up his floors and rerouted his water pipes.

But the issue never fully went away. For the past several months, water coming from the walls and floor of his living room has crept higher and higher, causing Mr Stewart to throw out his furniture and tear up his carpet.

"The mould underneath the carpet was just growing and I could never get it dry," he added.

"Now there's a great big puddle in my living room. I just don't know what to do."

Mould growing on Edward Stewart's carpet, which has since had to be torn up and thrown away. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)As well as being unable to lay carpet in his living room, hall and bathroom, most of the walls inside Mr Stewart's home no longer have wallpaper due to the damp conditions.

Since the water leaks intensified over the past eight years, Mr Stewart said a local tenancy team had given him a dehumidifier. However, the device has not been serviced in four years and no longer works correctly.

Mr Stewart said leaks occurred in his kitchen as soon as he moved in 32 years ago. However, the issue was quickly resolved and he had few problems until 2015.

Mould along Edward Stewart's living room. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)"Then eight years ago, I started losing pressure in the boiler," he said. 

"I knew there must have been a leak somewhere. The floors were then dug up and pipes were rerouted a few times.

"It was very drawn out and I remember feeling fed up a lot of the time. It just never felt like anything was getting done. 

"And now, years later, it feels exactly the same."

Edward Stewart's living room, without carpet. He has been living out of boxes since September. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)Mr Stewart said the tenancy team had informed him he had to leave his premises due to his multiple illnesses. He has since been put on a waiting list for a bungalow. However, he has not had any contact since September.

However the council got in touch with him on Monday.

Preparing to leave his home, Mr Stewart began packing his belongings. He is currently living out of cardboard boxes in his bare living room.

"Mr brother has helped a lot over the years, and my family has said they will have me round for Christmas," he said.

"And I feel very lucky in that sense. The thought of other people living like this with no one to help them is upsetting."

The puddle in Edward Stewart's living room. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)Since December 6, Mr Stewart said he was told his water metre has logged up to 1,000 litres a day. According to Energy Saving Trust, the average household uses around 349 litres a day, with individual totals averaging around 142 litres.

A spokesperson for Great Yarmouth Borough Council said: ‘’The council has been attempting to resolve a complex ongoing issue at the property for some time and we are sorry the length of time it has taken to find the root of the problem has caused distress. 

‘’On Monday, the council was made aware there had been an increase in the amount of water and immediately inspected the property. 

The tenant was immediately provided with alternative accommodation and today will sign the tenancy agreement for a new property.

"We will continue to support the tenant during this time and as he settles into his new home.

‘’Once the property is empty, work will begin to remove the floors and repair the water pipe which is causing the leak.  Once repaired, the floors will be replaced and other work carried out before the property is re-let.’’