There is hope on the horizon this year - a second stage of an upgrade of the Hikurangi sewerage network. The first stage happened last year, and had to take place before remedial work, that will help people like the Bains, can be done in 2018.
Work on Hikurangi has been delayed as council funds have been directed to higher priorities such as sewage overflow into Whangarei Harbour.
"Stage one (Hikurangi) was not expected to address issues at individual properties – however, it was needed to enable improvements that are expected as part of stage two," WDC waste and drainage manager Andrew Carvell said.
Stage two in the last half of 2018 will see council-owned pipes in Hikurangi renewed.
It is expected to take two to three years.
Mr Carvell said as part of the project, the council will consider putting individual pump stations at properties.
Mr Carvell said the sewer capacity became overwhelmed in very heavy rain "which can cause problems for low lying property. The water gets in through damaged pipes, both council owned and private, and direct connections such as gully traps."
Hayden and Trish and their four children (aged 9, 7, 3 and 8 months) have lived in the Union St house for four years after buying it off Trish's parents.
"Ever since they had it, there has been a problem with the toilet backing up when we have heavy rain," Mr Bain said.
"The toilet bowl fills up almost to the top. Once I have had to empty it to stop it from overflowing."
At the Bain's house, the portaloo is as close to the door as it can be - two steps away from the bottom step off the deck, to avoid the user getting wet.
Mr Bain said it takes a few hours after the rain stops before they can use their toilet again.
"It's not nice that my family have to use it (a portaloo) in the pouring rain. They don't like using it at all and I don't think we should have to."
Mr Bain's father-in-law Neil Peachey, who has lived at the property for 20 years, estimates the problem goes back a decade.
Neighbour Pania Edwards and her husband and three children also use a portaloo in bad weather. She said they could use their toilet in the bad weather, but they don't out of respect for their neighbours.
"We don't because it floods out the neighbours, I really feel for them."
She wants to see the repairs work made a priority.
"It's a health risk, it's a safety thing."
Mr Carvell said when the sewage system overflowed council contractors cleaned it up and put lime on the lawn to neutralise the bacteria.
Sewage spills were also reported to Northland District Health Board and the Northland Regional Council, who can advise any further action.
Annually $5 million is allocated to Whangarei sewerage works and the council has spent about $30 million over seven years in Whangarei.
Council staff met with the affected residents on Thursday and explained how the project was progressing.
