Flash flooding in a village street should be a thing of the past as work starts on a £1.1 million sewerage project.
Residents in Church Street, Billesdon, have suffered from sewage engulfing their homes when it rains heavily.
The Queen's Head pub in the street has also been repeatedly flooded by rain water getting into the bar and the kitchen.
But Severn Trent Water has now started to install new large sewers to help handle heavy rainfall and protect homes from sewage flooding.
Preparatory work began this week in fields west of the village and will continue until December 20.
New sewers will then be installed in Church Street from January 6 and are expected to be ready for use in March.
Mark Richards, landlord of the Queen's Head, said: "It is about time something was done.
"We regularly flood when it rains heavily because we only have one drain which feeds directly into the brook.
"When the level in the brook rises, the rain water can't get away and backs up into the bar and the kitchen."
Roger Oram, Severn Trent Water's programme engineer, said the scheme would cost £1.1 million.
He said: "We want to protect our customers from the distress of sewer flooding.
"The sewerage system in Billesdon is now struggling to cope if it pours with rain.
"The new sewers will store more storm water and help to protect homes from sewer flooding.
"While we carry out this essential work, we'll do our best to keep disruption to a minimum.
"We're working together with Leicestershire County Council and Billesdon Parish Council on plans for work on Church Street."
The installation work in Church Street could continue until April.
Mr Oram said: "We're looking forward to working with the local community and appreciate their patience and understanding."
County councillor for the area Dr Kevin Feltham said: "The work will cause disruption but it is long overdue.
"There have been major flooding problems in the Church Street area for a long time."
NMCNomenca is carrying out the work and can be contacted on:
contactus@nmcnomenca.co.uk
For help or information from Severn Trent Water, call 0800 783 4000.
