Flooded Paradise resident says it has been an emotional month since burst water main

FOR two weeks after a burst water main flooded his and his neighbours’ homes in a Paradise cul-de-sac, Linton Schiller stayed relaxed after losing everything. Then he crashed.

• Residents blast SA Water over response to flooding
• SA Water admits blame for burst water main at Paradise
• Boss vows to clean up compo chaos
• Burst water mains flood Paradise, Campbelltown

A MONTH after a burst water main flooded houses in a Paradise cul-de-sac, families are yet to move back into their damaged homes.

About half a dozen houses on Willow Drive were inundated when a burst main sent water gushing into the street on the afternoon of Monday, March 7.

Linton Schiller, who owns one of the affected houses, said he had tried to keep a relaxed attitude in the month since the damage but has had his ups and downs.

His family are living in an apartment while their house is repaired and their household items, which were insured, are replaced.

“We have had our moments. I have been showing a sort of flippant attitude but it took me about a fortnight until I had my first crash,” he said.

Willow Drive resident Linton Schiller at his home after it was flooded last month because of a burst water main. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

“My wife has probably had more moments than me but we are doing OK.”

He said his daughter, who is at university, has had trouble studying because of intermittent Wi-Fi and the family miss their beloved dogs, who are being cared for by a relative until they can return.

Mr Schiller said painting at his house had started but he was still unsure how long it would be until the homecoming.

“We have just got the approval for our kitchen cupboards to be replaced,” he said.

“We have also had some furniture ordered which won’t be in for three months but we are not sure if we will be allowed to move back in before the house is completed or whether we can live around it.”

A car is submerged in water, after two water mains burst in Willow Drive, Paradise. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

About a fortnight after the burst, Water Minster Ian Hunter apologised for the flooding and blamed operators of a nearby water treatment plant for activating the wrong valves.

He said SA Water accepted full responsibility and would compensate affected residents for any loss or damage caused by the error.

Elaine Pizimolas, whose car suffered extensive damage, was the first to raise the alarm when the water main burst.

SES connect a water-pumping line at Willow Dr, Paradise. Pic: Russell Millard

She said she “dodged a bullet” as her house somehow managed to escape relatively unscathed.

“We were pretty lucky in the scheme of things, in comparison to our neighbours we have been very lucky,” she said.

Mrs Pizimolas has returned to her house but most of her neighbours remain scattered in temporary accommodation.

Mr Schiller said progress on his house was “ahead of the pack”, meaning it will be a long wait yet until life returns to normal on Willow Drive.