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Pocono News Section
Heavy Rains, Old Sewers And Sewage
Heavy Rains, Old Sewers And Sewage - Thursday, August 14, 2008 at 12:30PM EST
Reported by: Joe Holden
Thursday, Aug 14, 2008 @ 12:30am EST
WEST PITTSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY- When Fifth and North Street neighbors say they got a nasty storm, you have no idea. Just ask longtime homeowner Ellen Gratz. "There's toilet paper, I've seen condoms over there on the corner that have come up."
Because West Pittston has combined storm and sanitary sewers, when heavy rain hits, the area becomes a giant toilet. Ernie Green's lived with the stink for years. "And it starts backing up the street and maybe five, six houses it goes up."
The problem is chronic and hardly normal. The sewer system that snakes below ground is inadequate. People tell Eyewitness News the problem usually comes with a quick shot of rain. "You know waste and everything comes up, backs up into our basement and everything else," Harry Green said.
West Pittston has been using the system non-stop since the early 1900s, if not longer. Borough leaders say they're between rock and a hard place. They're in a purported no-cash, no-fix situation.
Leaders have a $25 million estimate to rehab most parts of the ailing system. But that price tag is more than 20 times what West Pittston draws in cash annually. Council members say they have little choice but to complete the project in phases. That could last 10 years.
"I've been down there during the rainstorms. There's no exaggeration. It is truly deplorable situation they're in when the waters come," Council President Brian Thornton said.
For neighbors, there's no immediate sign of relief. Neighbors are hardly convinced there's a plan. | | |
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