A COUPLE say they are trying to rebuild their lives after their home was repeatedly inundated by floods and raw sewage.
David and Christina Warr say their cottage at Ladock has been left in a "totally unliveable state of ruin" by three floods in the past four months.
They and neighbours at Higher Cottages are frequently threatened by floods, they say.
Mr Warr said: "Every time there's a downpour we rush out to plug up the drains and divert the water away, but it's no use. We are at our wits' end.
"South West Water were quick to respond at the time, but nothing's being done."
In November the couple paid about £20,000 for repairs to flood damage. Then two days before Christmas Mr Warr, a plumber, had to use an industrial pump to divert 43,000 litres of water and raw sewage – but it eventually seeped in through the back door.
The couple left the next day because the taps were "running brown" and they could not use their toilet or bath.
Two weeks ago, they watched in horror as raw sewage and flood water inundated their home again.
Mr Warr said it had taken South West Water nearly five months to decontaminate the area after the sewage flood and they now feared plans for 19 new homes in Ladock would overload the village's sewers.
Mr Warr said: "No one should have to live like this. I'm not against the development, but the correct infrastructure must be put in first."
Ladock parish councillor Mike Gibbons said he was horrified by the damage to their home: "I plan to organise a meeting between South West Water and Cornwall Council," he said. "The Warr's home has been flooded with raw sewage. Something needs to happen."
A spokesman from South West Water said: "The problem is flood water from the Tresillian River entering the pumping station during bad weather, not the capacity of the equipment. We're trying to find a solution which may include installing a flood protection bund round the pumping station.
"We attended the pumping station which was flooded by the river in December and removed sewage by tanker to try to protect homes.
"We responded to a new call from residents reporting a blockage, and carried out investigations including a check of the cleanliness of the area around the pumping station as a goodwill service to residents."
