'It's fantastic' - West Bromwich mum who had to deal with 'paddle' level floods praises water firm for new drone technology made to help detect problem pipes
Stunning new drone technology being trialled could prove a lifeline for residents across the Black Country in the battle against flooding that has plagued the region in the last year alone.
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Dangerous flooding plagued the Black Country last year as multiple areas were drenched and homes, cars and greenery fell victim to the problem - which can often cause dreadful financial issues for hard-working people.
And retired mum-of-two Jillian Parry, 71, has seen her fair share of them in the last decade, having to contend with 'paddle' level floods where she lives in West Bromwich, constantly causing problems and 'huge' stress for her and her elderly neighbours.
She remembers seeing neighbours in tears trying to get to their cars and others seeing their doctor because the stress of the situation made them 'ill'.
But in January 2024, some specialist pumps were installed in the local area and her flooding nightmares became a thing of the past, gushing over how much happier she has been in the last 12 months not having to worry about having to 'paddle' to her car whenever she needed to head to the local shops.
Today, December 3, she has said how 'fantastic' it is to see Severn Trent's work with a new fleet of drones - able to spot problem pipes from miles away - and how much good she thinks they'll do for the Black Country.
Jillian, said: "It's fantastic that new things are being invented to tackle flooding, it can really effect lives when it just keeps happening - but even once can cause real problems for a family.
"Knowing that things are being done won't only ease the worries people like myself, and my neighbours have, it will make things more efficient and create some extra employment for the area."
