YORKSHIRE WATER has responded to councillors who are calling for an "urgent meeting" over ongoing sewage works.
The demand comes after residents complained of flooding, unstable ground and several sinkholes in Holme Wood, leading to calls for action from councillors.
Residents enduring 'horrendous smells, sinkholes and disrupted sleep'
Green Party councillors in Holme Wood and Bierley have described the situation on Heysham Drive as "horrendous" and criticised Yorkshire Water for poor communication.
Councillor Matt Edwards, leader of the Green Party group, said: "Residents on Heysham Drive have put up with horrendous smells, sinkholes and disrupted sleep for most of this year, and been met with silence or denial when they've asked Yorkshire Water to explain itself.
"Last year, a child was injured after falling in a sinkhole on the bank and for months this year, tankers have been working in the area for long periods, including overnight, keeping people awake.
"There is even an open sewer drain but local people are still not being told what is going on or when this will be resolved.
An open sewer drain (Image: Bradford Council)
"The company's behaviour throughout this has been disgraceful."
Cllr Edwards added: "This is the same pattern we've raised with Yorkshire Water before: poor communication and residents ignored.
"We need answers, not more excuses.
"More importantly, they need to get this repaired quickly."
Councillor Iain McInnes echoed concerns about water quality and communication.
He said: "Residents raised concerns about their water quality and felt they were dismissed by Yorkshire Water.
"When they tested it themselves, it came back positive for bacteria.
"Yorkshire Water says its own tests came back satisfactory, but if that's true, why is bottled water still being handed out months later?
"Residents deserve to know if the water coming out of their taps is safe to drink."
Yorkshire Water apologises for 'apparent lack of communication'
Yorkshire Water has now responded to the complaints.
A spokesperson said: "We are currently completing a sewer replacement on Heysham Drive following the identification of a sewer collapse which has caused a number of problems in the area.
"Unfortunately, these works are proving to be a particularly complex and long-term project.
"As such, we are not yet able to provide a definitive timeline for completion, though we can assure residents that we are working as quickly as we possibly can.
Ongoing works at Heysham Drive, Holme Wood. (Image: Bradford Council)
"We appreciate that we have been in the area for some time, and that this issue has been disruptive for residents, and we apologise for this.
"This includes the use of tankers throughout to remove flows from the sewer and transport them to the wastewater treatment works.
"We also apologise for an apparent lack of communication with residents, which we aim to improve going forward.
"We will continue to work closely with our contractors on site to ensure work is moving along at pace, and thank everyone for their ongoing patience."
Company says issue of water quality is 'unrelated'
The company also addressed specific concerns raised by councillors about water quality.
Yorkshire Water said: "The issue of water quality is entirely unrelated, and to be clear, there has not been any problems with the water quality on Heysham Drive.
"One customer reported an issue with their water in February – we attended and took a sample, and this came back clear.
"In the interim period between taking the sample and the results coming back, we supplied bottled water to the customer.
"We are no longer doing so, and have not done so since February."
'We offered households temporary hotel accommodation'
The company also confirmed that two homes were flooded during the August Bank Holiday weekend due to heavy rainfall.
At the time, four tankers were already on site managing flows in the combined network, but the amount of water exceeded capacity.
Yorkshire Water said: "The flows subsequently escaped from the network and entered two homes.
"We arranged for specialist cleaning contractors to attend both properties and carry out the necessary clean-up works.
"We also offered both households temporary hotel accommodation while the cleaning and recovery process were underway."