Dallas Co. residents raise safety concerns over sewage overflow

From the West Alabama Newsroom–

Raw sewage is bubbling up near several houses in a Dallas County neighborhood and residents there want something done about it.

Doris Walker lives directly in front of piece of property where raw sewage is overflowing into the yard she shares with several neighbors.

“It just stinks,” she said.

“You can smell it in your house at night. It stinks.”

Walker says it’s a problem that’s been going on now — for several months. She says it’s unsafe — unsanitary — and a health hazard.

“This is unreal though. You know what I’m saying. This is uncalled for. It wouldn’t happen in anybody else neighborhood. We want this fixed,” she said.

But the process of fixing the problem has remained at a standstill due to a dispute between the property owner and the water & sewer authority — over whose responsibility it is — to fix it.

“We’re not allowed to get on private property and do any kind of work,” said David Hamm with Dallas Co. Water and Sewer Authority.

“If it’s my responsibility, I can get it fixed right away but it’s not my responsibility,” said property owner William Minor.

And while the responsibility debate rages on — raw sewage continues to spill out onto the ground — and the stench of it remains in the air.

“Who wants to come outside and smell something stink all the time? You can’t walk out your house, you can’t sit on your porch,” Walker said.

“And anybody come to your house you’re embarrassed.”

Sewage contains germs like bacteria and viruses. As well as parasites and worms that can cause stomach and intestine or liver illness.