€4,000 in damages after sewage flooding

A couple residing in Mosta were awarded €4,000 in damages after underground drainage overflowed into their residence.

The First Hall of the Civil Court upheld a suit by Leo and Sarah Chetcuti Caruana against the Water Services Corporation, the Works Department director-general, Transport Malta and V&C Contractors Ltd.

The couple claimed their drainage effluent had lodged in a cesspit, but in 2002 works carried out on the system led to the sewage being rerouted into the new network. Following heavy rains on 6 November of the same year, the sewage flooded the lower floor of their residence.

In his evidence the husband recounted how the level of water drainage inside the house reached over one metre. After the flooding, the couple did not replace the floor tiles however the doors had to be refurbished and have the lacquer reapplied.

Vince Borg, on behalf of V&C Contractors Ltd, argued the flooding was due to transport oils and dead rats blocking the drainage pipes. However the court threw out his reasoning stating that the couple had no responsibility in the incident.

The court decreed that all parties, except Transport Malta, had to pool in to the sum of €4,000 to be paid for damages the couple had suffered.