Disabled residents and young families left without running water for almost two weeks after floods

Disabled residents and young families have been left without running water for almost two weeks following flash flooding in Peckham.

Tenants from Galleria Court, in Sumner road, have been without water since Sunday July 25, after floods filled the basement carpark during a weekend of heavy rainfall.

Sharma Jude, who lives on the ground floor, said: “I know of some residents who have been putting buckets outside the church to collect rainwater to use in their homes.”

For the 37-year-old, who suffers from kidney failure and carpal tunnel syndrome, the situation combined with the continued threat of Covid-19 has left her feeling vulnerable in her own home.

“It is particularly difficult for me because as a transplant patient I have to be really careful,” she said.

“They have put a drinking water tank in the basement but that has run out twice already.

“I shouldn’t have to leave my home to collect water but I am now having to interact with other tenants and workmen coming into my home.

“No one is providing negative covid tests or even wearing masks.

“Even if some of the tenants in my building are supposed to be isolating, they still need to leave their flats to get water, putting us all at risk.”

A neighbour, who also lives on the ground floor and is disabled, said: “There is a toilet, like a port-a-loo, in the carpark that they have said is only for the disabled tenants, but you have to walk down some stairs to get to it – which makes no sense.

“There is no one cleaning the toilet and it is not being properly sanitised, even though we are still in a pandemic.

“It is also not safe, especially for the female tenants, going into that carpark on your own at night with no security to use a toilet.”

Galleria Court, which has a mix of social housing and private apartments, is managed by Blocsphere Property Management and Peabody Housing Association.

One resident added: “The only information we can find is on an app. This places the emphasis on us to seek out information rather than the information being provided by the management agency, who seem to be avoiding their responsibilities.

“It also means we don’t get to deal with a real person, so it’s harder to get our concerns heard.”

Some tenants had been offered hotel stays of up to £125 per night with £25 per night for food, but there are concerns over whether this will be covered by the building insurance.

A Peabody spokesman said: “We know this is a really difficult situation for residents at Galleria Court.

“We have been involved since we were made aware of the issues last week, but as responsibility lies with Thames Water and the managing agent, we are limited in what we can do to help resolve this.”

A spokesman for Blocsphere said that Thames Water have refused to provide assistance as the building, which is built on a former canal path, is privately owned.

They added: “The health and safety of the residents is our main concern. Every possible step has been taken to reinstate the water supply.

“With regards to the building insurance, there is currently an ongoing investigation and it would be improper to comment further at this stage, pending the results of such investigation.”