Burst water main floods three houses at Seacombe Gardens

AN ELDERLY woman’s precious possessions have been destroyed by a “river” of floodwater after a water main burst and damaged five Seacombe Gardens houses overnight.

AN ELDERLY woman’s precious possessions have been destroyed by a “river” of floodwater after a water main burst and damaged five Seacombe Gardens houses overnight.

The burst, which caused a 2m hole along Ramsey Ave about 2.30am, has left three residents fearful they will be left without compensation for the loss of their prized possessions.

Huberta Puyverman, 76, said she had just finished packing her “life” into boxes in preparation for her move to Holland in a month.

Huberta Puyverman looks at her destroyed belongings, after a burst water main flooded her home at Seacomb Gardens.

Nithin Mathai and Anjali Thomas-Mathai’s home at Secombe Gardens was damaged when this water main burst overnight.

She said French paintings, family photos, and other precious items had all been destroyed by the flood water as it swathed through the house in the early hours of the morning.

“It’s a disaster. It is ruined,” she said.

Her twin sister, Johanna Eggers, slipped and fell as the water washed under her feet.

She said she has been left without shoes — all of which were all destroyed by the flood water.

“It is terrible, it is not something you would ever expect would happen to you but we are both thankful no one is hurt,” she said.

Nithin Mathai, who was woken by a neighbour, said he and his 28-year-old wife, Anjali Thomas-Mathai, had moved in just a week ago.

“I looked outside and all I could see was a stream,” Mr Mathai, 30, said.

The burst water main early this morning at Seacombe Gardens. Picture: Nithin Mathai

An SES worker cleaning Nithin Mathai’s home. Picture: Nithin Mathai

Damage to homes after a water main burst at Secombe Gardens, SA.

“It was like Waterfall Gully (at the foothills of the Mount Lofty Ranges) on a heavy rain day, it just powered past.”

The main ruptured near the corner of Morphett Rd and Ramsay Ave and within minutes lifted pavers on the front yards of the houses and began flooding the area.

State Emergency Service workers have set about the arduous task of helping the residents to clear extensive mud and water from all of the houses.

Landlord John Eckermann with his grandson Jasper, 7, looks at the damage to a driveway after the water main burst.

The remains of the road after the water main burst. Picture: Nithin Mathai

Sisters Johanna Eggers and Huberta Puyverman with Ms Puyverman’s belongings, which were destroyed when their home flooded.

The landlord for all five properties, John Eckermann, said the houses were insured for damage but he was concerned the tenants would not be compensated for the loss of their personal property.

“The damage is substantial. It has flooded the carpets, doors, frames,” he said.

He said it was the second time a water main had burst in the immediate area in the past decade.

“Last time the houses were not built yet so it was lucky there was not as much damage. This time it is a lot worse, we would like the problem fixed but what can you do.”

SA Water is preparing a statement about compensation in response to inquiries by The Advertiser.