A farmer claims to have seen raw sewage leak onto his land next to an environmentally-sensitive chalk river for the fourth time in five years.

Robert Perowne, 67, said land at his Great Snoring farm had turned to sludge after a sewage pipe beneath the ground burst on August 15.

Mr Perowne said the polluted water had been flowing into a medieval fish pond and a ditch before entering the River Stiffkey - a rare chalk stream habitat.

But an Anglian Water spokesman said repairs were made quickly to limit any damage caused. 

Mr Perowne, who has been farming for more than 45 years, said: “I can tell raw sewage when I see it.”

Fakenham & Wells Times: The fence marking where the sewage pipe burst and has now been repaired on Robert Perowne's land at Great Snoring The fence marking where the sewage pipe burst and has now been repaired on Robert Perowne's land at Great Snoring (Image: Denise Bradley)

He said this was the fourth time the pipe had burst and unleashed sewage and other waste onto his land. 

Mr Perowne said when the pipe previously burst in 2018, 2019, and 2020 he had seen condoms, human faeces and dirty tissues flowing down a ditch on his field and into the river.

He said this time it was limited to polluted water but he was not convinced the problem has been properly fixed. 

He said the problem was due to the pipes - which he remembers being laid when he was a child - not being large enough, and in need of replacement. 

An Anglian Water spokesperson said: “Our teams were notified of the burst sewer pipe in Great Snoring on August 15, and we were able to complete repairs the following day.

“The nearby stream was unaffected and we have undertaken further tests on the water quality which have confirmed this.”

Fakenham & Wells Times: Robert Perowne on his land at Great Snoring where the sewage ran down the ditch to the River Stiffkey from the fence marking the repaired burst pipe Robert Perowne on his land at Great Snoring where the sewage ran down the ditch to the River Stiffkey from the fence marking the repaired burst pipe (Image: Denise Bradley)

Fakenham & Wells Times: Photo taken of the River Stiffkey on August 18, after a burst pipe on Robert Perowne's land at Great SnoringPhoto taken of the River Stiffkey on August 18, after a burst pipe on Robert Perowne's land at Great Snoring (Image: Denise Bradley)

Mr Perowne said he feared the impact more rain could have on the delicate ecosystem. 

“If we get [more] heavy rain then it could leech even more into the river,” he said.

Mr Perowne said he had been in touch with Broadland MP Jerome Mayhew about the issue.

To report water pollution call Anglian Water on 03457 145 145

Fakenham & Wells Times: Robert Perowne on his land at Great Snoring where the sewage ran down the ditch to the River Stiffkey from the fence marking the repaired burst pipeRobert Perowne on his land at Great Snoring where the sewage ran down the ditch to the River Stiffkey from the fence marking the repaired burst pipe (Image: Denise Bradley)

Fakenham & Wells Times: The River Stiffkey on Robert Perowne's land at Great Snoring.The River Stiffkey on Robert Perowne's land at Great Snoring. (Image: Denise Bradley)