DRAIN problems in East Wichel have been blamed on disposable nappies being flushed down toilets.

In an update from developer Taylor Wimpey, shared by councillors, they say they have been dealing with problem nappies “ragging up the pump”.

Whereas normally, nappies jamming the pump would send an alarm to Taylor Wimpey’s contractors – in this case it didn’t happen.

“Strangely in this case some of the nappies filled the void between the impeller and the casing, which stopped the liquid being pumped but allowed the impellor to continue rotating [but] prevented an alarm being generated,” Taylor Wimpey said in an updated shared on social media by Coun Nadine Watts.

“We only became aware when one of the residents reported that their toilet was not flowing away.”

Taylor Wimpey said that they would be re-cleaning the pumping station and pipework and leafletting homes in Wichelstowe in a bid to stop people from throwing disposable nappies and sanitary products down the toilet.