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City: It's not our problem
By Chris McCaa Staff Writer
Clayton has sent all 1,500 of its sewer customers a notice that it will not be held responsible for sewage backups into homes and businesses.
"Any customer on the local sewer system should take measures to protect your personal property from damage of potential sewer that can backup (sic) into your house," said City Manager Cissy Henry in her March 11 letter.
Wastewater customers are encouraged to install a back flow prevention device to their sewage lines. The device, available in plumbing supply stores and at City Hall, is designed to prevent city sewage from backing up into one's home.
“It's not mandatory, but it's requested,” Henry said. ”It's for the homeowners' own benefit.”
The city hopes informing people on how to prevent backup problems will save the city and residents time and money.
Councilman Pat Marcellino Jr. said two wastewater customers recently were reimbursed about $1,200 and $400 respectively by the city for cleanup costs resulting from sewage backups into their homes.
Henry refused to identify the customers.
"What we did is we paid for the cleaning bills," Marcellino said.
He said council felt the city did not make it clear that people needed to have back flow devices installed. He also said the city sent out letters to customers in an attempt to avoid any future cleanup expenses.
“We wanna get the word out to the public that they need to take action to protect themselves,” Marcellino said.
A sewage backup occurs when debris or waste clogs up a home's plumbing system. This results in clogged or slow running drains and toilets. Most backups can be fixed with a plunger or drain cleaners. If that fails, call a plumber.
People are asked to call the city if a plumber determines a sewage problem is not related to a customer's own line. Henry said the city would help pinpoint the problem.
Sewage back flow is less common, but more serious. During a back flow, water or waste flows up through a bathtub drain or a toilet. This problem can cause serious flood damage to a home. Residents experiencing a back flow are urged to call the city sanitation department immediately.
The letter from the city is also bringing to light an old sewer system that is increasingly causing problems.
“Our sewage collection system is very old and has not been maintained properly,” Mayor Tom Ramey Sr. said.
An improvement in the city's sewer system would decrease the risk of back flow problems from occurring, said Moody Barrick, public works director.
“If you had a very good sewer system and everything was functioning properly, the likelihood of a back flow is much, much less,” Barrick said.
Council is currently looking into a solution for the city's aging sewage lines, but Marcellino said the solution will not come overnight.
“The city is working toward resolving some of these issues,” Marcellino said. “It's not gonna happen fast.”
Marcellino said the city had a duty to inform the public of the problem and how to go about preventing it. “Having it in the code is one thing and educating the public is another responsibility of the city,” he said.
Currently, the city is in the application process for assistance from the Southeastern Regional Water Quality Assistance Network.
Marcellino said the organization would prioritize the problems with the sewer system and make recommendations for repairs accordingly.
For questions or concerns, residents can call 706-782-4512.
"Any customer on the local sewer system should take measures to protect your personal property from damage of potential sewer that can backup (sic) into your house," said City Manager Cissy Henry in her March 11 letter.
Wastewater customers are encouraged to install a back flow prevention device to their sewage lines. The device, available in plumbing supply stores and at City Hall, is designed to prevent city sewage from backing up into one's home.
“It's not mandatory, but it's requested,” Henry said. ”It's for the homeowners' own benefit.”
The city hopes informing people on how to prevent backup problems will save the city and residents time and money.
Councilman Pat Marcellino Jr. said two wastewater customers recently were reimbursed about $1,200 and $400 respectively by the city for cleanup costs resulting from sewage backups into their homes.
Henry refused to identify the customers.
"What we did is we paid for the cleaning bills," Marcellino said.
He said council felt the city did not make it clear that people needed to have back flow devices installed. He also said the city sent out letters to customers in an attempt to avoid any future cleanup expenses.
“We wanna get the word out to the public that they need to take action to protect themselves,” Marcellino said.
A sewage backup occurs when debris or waste clogs up a home's plumbing system. This results in clogged or slow running drains and toilets. Most backups can be fixed with a plunger or drain cleaners. If that fails, call a plumber.
People are asked to call the city if a plumber determines a sewage problem is not related to a customer's own line. Henry said the city would help pinpoint the problem.
Sewage back flow is less common, but more serious. During a back flow, water or waste flows up through a bathtub drain or a toilet. This problem can cause serious flood damage to a home. Residents experiencing a back flow are urged to call the city sanitation department immediately.
The letter from the city is also bringing to light an old sewer system that is increasingly causing problems.
“Our sewage collection system is very old and has not been maintained properly,” Mayor Tom Ramey Sr. said.
An improvement in the city's sewer system would decrease the risk of back flow problems from occurring, said Moody Barrick, public works director.
“If you had a very good sewer system and everything was functioning properly, the likelihood of a back flow is much, much less,” Barrick said.
Council is currently looking into a solution for the city's aging sewage lines, but Marcellino said the solution will not come overnight.
“The city is working toward resolving some of these issues,” Marcellino said. “It's not gonna happen fast.”
Marcellino said the city had a duty to inform the public of the problem and how to go about preventing it. “Having it in the code is one thing and educating the public is another responsibility of the city,” he said.
Currently, the city is in the application process for assistance from the Southeastern Regional Water Quality Assistance Network.
Marcellino said the organization would prioritize the problems with the sewer system and make recommendations for repairs accordingly.
For questions or concerns, residents can call 706-782-4512.
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