Southern Water is yet to find “conclusive and definitive” answers as to why dozens of homes in Albert Road were flooded in January.

The street has fallen victim to floods after heavy rainfall and some people’s homes were ruined as foul water gushed inside.

The water company, despite coming under fire from Deal Town Council and Dover District Council’s scrutiny committee, is awaiting results from a flow survey.

Cllr Trevor Bond, who represents Middle Deal and Sholden wards, has spent months pressuring the organisation for a conclusion.

He raised the issue at the scrutiny committee in March, where representatives from Southern Water gave an update.

Cllr Bond said: “You don’t need to be Einstein to see that there is an issue.

“I just find it unbelievable that a flood can occur in January and they still can’t say definitively what caused it.

“This is not comforting to residents who are entitled to an answer.

“It is not as though it is the first flood. There have been a series of floods for 20 years and they still can’t give an explanation.”

Southern Water spokesman Harriet Coombs confirmed that flow monitors have been installed at various points in the town to record how the pipework copes in different rainfall situations.

Miss Coombs said: “To get reliable and useful data through a number of different rain events, the survey may need to be undertaken over a number of months.

“Although we have not found conclusive and definitive reasons for the flooding on January 6, the investigation will continue until we can explain the events and then look to prevent their reoccurrence.”

She also said that the sewerage system is under investigation, particularly in “hot spots” that experienced flooding on that day.

“We have also employed specialised diving teams to check the outfalls which are offshore and permanently submerged,” she said.

Cllr Bond confirmed he is still in talks with the firm after it pledged to update residents on a monthly basis about any progress made.

MP Charlie Elphicke has met Southern Water chiefs to try to get to the bottom of the issue.

He said: “With Southern Water the first stage was to get them investing at the Golf Road pumping station which they are doing.

“They also need to be checking where this surface water is coming from.

“It is understood it will take some time but I urge them to get on with it as quickly as they can.

“A lot of rainwater has been going into the sewerage system which is why it is overloaded.

“The test on whether Southern Water has succeeded will come with the next heavy rain fall.

“There is a problem with their public relations that seems to try and spin this situation and I keep urging them to be direct with the people of Deal.”