Derwent residents have been plagued by a foul smell as the newly refurbished D Block suffers its second sewage leak in as many months.
The problem first arose in December, and was initially mistaken for a prank.
After noticing that the smell did not disperse, D Block resident Francesca Glew spotted from her bedroom window, what was, on closer inspection, a large pile of sewage.
The problem was immediately reported to the Derwent Porter’s Lodge by multiple residents. Maintenance then came and ‘cleaned’ the pile of faeces – by hosing it straight onto Glew’s window.
Glew sent an email to then Derwent JCRC Chair Matt Jenkins, telling him that, “It smelt horrendously and I couldn’t stand to be in my room for the next few hours as it made me feel sick. I didn’t have a clue what was happening.”
The problem reared its head once more a fortnight ago, as D Block bottom floor residents again noticed the foul smell.
This time Derwent Provost Robert Aitken personally intervened in the matter, instructing the porters to send for plumbers as soon as possible, and requesting that Estate Managers look at the problem.
Two days later, residents were informed that “the immediate blockage has been cleared” and that an external drainage company had been called in to investigate.
Residents report that there has been no evidence of further work on the drain where the sewage is leaking, or the three other problem pipes in the building, including one that burst above an electric light in a bathroom.
Vision can also reveal that Oddies, the contractors used to refurbish Derwent D Block, which was contracted out on the basis of competitive tendering by the University, has since gone out of business. Jessica Wragg, another D Block resident, said; “You have to question whether the Uni put the integrity and quality of the renovation, and student safety, before its desire to keep the budget down.”
Current Derwent JCRC Chair Francesca Knight is taking the matter to the Vice-Chancellor in order to finally resolve the issues affecting the welfare of Derwent students.