Plastic ducks take up residence on pond created by water leak in Hemel Hempstead

A family of ducks have taken up residence on a pond created by ongoing problems with water leaks over the last two years.

The invasion of ‘wildlife’ has been welcomed by residents – but on closer inspection passers-by will have noticed the ducks are not of the feathered variety – but made of plastic!

The pond, which started as a wet patch, developed after a leak sprung on land outside the front of Eastwood Court flats, in High Street Green, Hemel Hempstead.

Affinity Water says that the puddle has been caused series of leaks – some of which are not its responsibility – and does not yet know whether the current leak is in its pipes or those of the flat owners.

Debbie Elliott, who lives at the flats, said: “The water board have been out five or six times over the past two years to fix it, unsuccessfully. Not only can they not fix it, but it's actually getting worse.

“In the meantime my neighbour Paul thought it would be a nice idea to put some yellow plastic ducks on the water and set up a board explaining why they are living there.

"We had a family of plastic ducks on the pond though the drake has since been stolen. But it’s become quite a talking point for anyone walking past and is now accumulating other inhabitants such as a little man fishing and a few dinosaurs.”

Added Debbie. “It’s a bit of an attraction but on a serious note it’s ridiculous that they can’t seem to mend the leak. The water is constant, it just doesn’t drain anywhere.”

A spokesperson for Affinity Water said: “We are working to identify the cause of the water leak outside Eastwood Court Flats in Hemel Hempstead.

"Our teams have been in attendance and have taken samples to establish the exact cause of the ongoing problems and whether or not the responsibility rests with us to repair it.

"These issues can be complex, and while as a water company we have responsibility for repair work on pipes that belong to us in other circumstances the responsibility may rest with the customers themselves. We apologise for any inconvenience caused while these test are being carried out.