A LEAKED email shows Anglian Water knew of problems with the drainage system in Southend long before recent flooding devastated homes and businesses.

The email, sent to a resident last November by a customer service advisor at the water firm, confirms they were aware a discharge pipe letting drainwater out to sea was rendered useless by a high tide.

The email was in response to the flooding which hit the seafront in August 2013.

But last Friday the same thing happened again, raising questions as to what Anglian Water knew and why nothing was done to solve the problem.

Independent Martin Terry, Southend councillor responsible for public protection, called Anglian Water’s lack of action on the flooding “criminal”.

He said: “They are saying we know what it is like, but tough luck. The evidence is now out there, and it is dreadful.

“It is completely unacceptable and they should have started doing something about it long ago.

“This is why we will be lobbying them for some investment into the infrastructure.

“It is no use paying £250,000 for maintenance – we need more than this.”

The email reads: “The storm of 24 August 2013 was an extreme event, which our underground drainage system would not be designed to cope with, so flooding is, unfortunately, to be expected.”

It is understood that the 12- inch pipe which carries seafront water to be discharged into the estuary was built in the Thirties – making it more than 80 years old.

Southend Council is in charge of the location and design of the drains, but after the water is sucked into them, they go into a pipe network controlled by Anglian Water.

The pipe discharges into the estuary, but because there was a high tide during Friday’s floods, the water was released slower than if the sea was out.

The customer service advisor raises this in the email correspondence, saying: “In times of rainfall and high tide, the surface water drains can overload, as it’s unable to discharge.”

Anglian Water had defended itself by saying a flood review report, due out shortly, about the August 2013 flooding, would form the basis of its future works on the seafront.

Angry traders, who also blame the flooding on Southend Council’s design of City Beach, are demanding Anglian Water changes its approach.

Martin Richardson, owner of the Happidrome, in Marine Parade, which suffered £250,000 worth of damage, said: “If the water can’t get out when the tide is high, then why don’t they build a pump over the seawall, like they have inCanvey?”

'WE SPENT £8M ON SOUTHEND’S DRAINS’

ANGLIAN Water has spent millions improving drains in Southend.

A spokesman explained: “We have invested about £8million in Southend’s water recycling and drainage infrastructure in the last five years, and an additional £600,000 was spent last year just running the system dayto- day.

“Hundreds of thousands is spent more on maintaining it.

“The fact remains that last Friday’s stormwas an extreme weather event that far exceeded the level which sewers are designed to handle.

“This design standard is set for the entire water industry, not by ourselves.

“As the climate changes and extreme weather is becoming more common, we are working closely with many councils and other drainage partners to maintain and improve the network and look at the most effective and sustainable way to alleviate flooding.

“This may be achieved through investment from ourselves. For instance we are pioneers of sustainable drainage systems.

“But other solutions, such as redirecting surface water from vulnerable areas and building sustainable drainage into new developments, are important.

“This is why a joined up approach between the council and highways and the Environment Agency is required, to understand where flood problems originate.”

Lawyer says firm has a cause to answer on compensation

ANGLIAN Water could be liable to pay out compensation to residents and businesses, according to legal experts.

Nitin Khandhia, from Southend-based solicitors BTMK, believes the company could have a case to answer after the leaked email.

He argued the company could be liable as the email shows it was aware of the issue back in November.

Last Friday’s flooding was caused when 30mm of rain fell in just one hour and, as the email suggests, could not be discharged out to sea because a pipe would have been blocked by the high tide.

Mr Khandhia said: “If it is found the water company has been negligent, and has not maintained the drains properly or has not ensured the drains are capable of dealing with heavy rainstorms as experienced in the last few years, then there’s certainly a case to be answered by the water company.

“In these circumstances property and business owners should seek independent legal advice to see if the losses can be met by the water company.”

Traders say they will look at taking legal action as they face having to spend thousands of pounds to clean up the damage caused, while other businesses have said they may quit the seafront altogether.

Steve Yeung, owner of the Pearl Dragon Chinese restaurant in Eastern Esplanade, said: “It’s disappointing they have understood the problem is there, but haven’t done anything about it.

“They should pay out compensation.

If a water pipe burst outside your home and damaged your property, they would pay out, they would be liable – and they have been negligent here.

“It’s shocking it has been allowed to happen again.”

He also claims that he is having to spend thousands on pumps outside his property, in Eastern Esplanade, to protect the restaurant from future downpours.

The clean-up operation is still taking place elsewhere in the area.

Karen Slater, landlady of the Falcon pub, in Marine Parade, said: “The insurers won’t pay out, they’ve got various clauses thanks to last year’s floods.

“Anglian Water should sort out the drains if there is an issue with them.”