An Aberdeen pensioner has been forced to endure years of cold and damp due to a huge pool of stagnant water underneath the floorboards of his council flat.
Robert Boyle, 68, has lived at Carnie Drive, in the Hilton area of the city, for the past ten years.
When he first moved in, the retired painter and decorator felt constantly chilly, and noticed a creeping wetness through his walls, carpet and floorboards.
Mr Boyle subsequently discovered around two inches of still water just below his feet, under nearly every square foot of his home.
And although much of the water underneath his home was cleared years ago, Mr Boyle – who suffers from arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome – says he is still struggling to get someone to clear the mess from underneath his living room.
He claims that the problem has caused him numerous health issues, and added that, during spells of colder weather, the water sometimes turned to ice.
Mr Boyle said: “When I had the bathroom and the kitchen updated, that’s when they discovered the water.
“Since then, I’ve had the drain surgeon in twice to pump the water out, but because of a wall, nobody could see underneath the living room.
“I suffer from arthritis in my ankles, knees, pelvis and spine, and I’ve had to breathe in all this mould and everything. I’ve had to throw out leather jackets, leather shoes, from the damage.
“I have no idea what’s causing this water, but I reckon it’s an underground spring – something to do with the Denburn – and I think the council knows about it.”
“I don’t know where to go. I’ve got depression because of this.”
It is understood there are water springs in the area, but a council spokesman said that there could be any number of factors that resulted in Mr Boyle’s flooding issue – including recent heavy rainfall.
He also confirmed that work had been carried out in August 2011 to create a drainage system, following a problem with water in the building’s foundations.
The spokesman added: “We don’t comment on individual cases, but we have a range of services and support in place for all our council tenants.”