Faulty pipes caused pools of raw sewage to form in the town square of St George, just as vendors were setting up stalls at the venue.

The patches of strong-smelling water first emerged on Sunday.

The problem was finally rectified after contractors and engineers from the Bermuda Land Development Company — a government quango — were drafted in to carry out repairs on Monday afternoon.

Candy-Lee Foggo, town manager for the Corporation of St George, said that she immediately tried to contact the BLDC but was initially unable to reach anyone.

Ms Foggo said: “Because it was a Sunday it was challenging getting people to respond. I also understand that there was a shortage of sewer trucks.”

Ms Foggo said that although the town was quiet when the problem first erupted, it did impact vendors who were hoping to set up their stalls to serve visiting tourists.

She said: “It was not pleasant.

“We’re trying to create more activities in the town and so we had vendors setting up in the square. Had it gone on much longer, some of the larger businesses could have been affected.

“But the pipes have now been repaired and we’re on top of the situation.”

Thomas Harvey, a One Bermuda Alliance election candidate for the town, condemned the delay in getting the problem repaired, and criticised government services for failing to be on call permanently.

He first noticed the patches of strong-smelling water on Sunday morning.

He said: “Sewage was coming up through the manholes in the square. Apparently the holding tanks were full and the pipes were not working, so everything was backing up.

“I think this is the first time I can remember that we’ve had this problem.

“I had a quick word with the mayor about it and she said it was no longer a corporation issue, and that the BLDC was now in charge.

“But if the Government wants to take over our municipalities, then they can’t run them just between 9am and 5pm. Someone was sleeping at the wheel.

“There were vendors and tourists in the town on Sunday. This is a world heritage site and we have standards that have to be maintained. It boggles the mind.“