South West Water says it plans to seal a manhole cover after it spewed sewage into a tidal creej during recent heavy rainfall.

As reported on the Packet website this week, sewage including sanitary products, loo paper and faeces was seen spilling into Mylor Creek.

The spill from the manhole cover on picturesque Mill Quay in Mylor Bridge poured into rhe creek renowned for its beauty and wildlife in an AONB

South West Water said the problem was caused by recent heavy rainfall which had lifted the manhole cover which was leaking due to the overload of rainwater entering the system.

Falmouth Packet: South West Water says it will seal off the manhole cover on the quay at the head of the creekSouth West Water says it will seal off the manhole cover on the quay at the head of the creek (Image: Paul Armstrong)

They used tankers to take the excess 'flow' away and said it was no longer spilling.

However with more rain forecast over the coming days the company said it planned to seal the manhole cover immediately.

They said an investigation had found that ground or surface water had entered the sewer network where it shouldn't have, overwhelming it.

They had found the location where it was entering the system and its team were working to resolve the issue within the next couple of days.

Falmouth Packet: Mylor Creek is in an area of outstanding natural beautyMylor Creek is in an area of outstanding natural beauty (Image: Paul Armstrong)

A spokesperson for South West Water told the Packet : “Due to the heavy rainfall we experienced over recent days, a manhole cover on the Mill Quay lifted and was leaking due to the overload of rainwater entering the system. We have used tankers to take flows away and can confirm that it is no longer spilling. We plan to seal the manhole imminently.

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“Following investigations by the team, we were able to identify a source of infiltration in our system. This is when groundwater or surface water enters the sewer network when it shouldn’t, which is why the system became so overwhelmed following the recent downpours.

“Now that the location of where surface water is entering the system has been found, the team are on site and working to resolve the issue within the next two days.”