Rain causes sewage backflow
Toolbox
By Carla Occaso Times Argus Staff - Published: August 12, 2005
ST. JOHNSBURY – Four big rainstorms this summer overloaded the town's water and sewer pipes, forcing smelly sewage back into some Oak Street residents' homes.
This has been happening for the past few years and Oak Street residents said they are tired of the messy problem, and want something done about it.
Selectmen voted Tuesday during a site visit to accept Selectman Bryon Quatrini's suggestion to provide backflow shutoff valves to Oak Street homeowners – a short-term fix that would keep wastewater from flowing into their homes by forcing it back onto their lawns and driveways. From there, storm water and sewage would flow into the Passumpsic River during heavy rains via a new storm drain.
"Start at the low point into the street and shoot it into the river," said Dan Scott, water and sewer superintendent.
Next year, the town could install catch basins along the street at a cost of about $4,000 each, or $12,000 in all, said Town Manager Mike Welch.
Kim Cummings has had to clean sewage out of her basement and washing machine four times in July during the unusually heavy rains. Although she sounded good-natured about the unpleasant task, she also sounded relieved help is on the way.
Quatrini said when the valves are in use, homeowners would also be unable to flush their toilets or otherwise dispose of wastewater. Residents said they would gladly accept the minor inconvenience to gain protection from sewage seepage.
"It's better not to use the facilities than have the facilities back at you," said Oak Street property owner Tom Villeneuve.
The solution would also "blow the manhole covers off" the drainage system, Scott said, but Oak Street residents said manhole covers come off when it floods, anyway.
Town officials are working on a large-scale storm water and sewage separation project for the whole town, but completion on that is two to four years away. Work on the water/sewer separation project started this year on Cliff Street and is moving along well, Welch said.
A temporary fix on Oak Street is better than nothing, those at the meeting said.
"Our highest priority is to keep it out of the house," said Selectman Dale Urie.
Some residents said they were happy for the town's help, but are concerned about the long-term situation.
"It's a health issue now," said Donna Villeneuve. "What the town is doing will keep us happy for now," she said. Villeneuve said she called Gov. James Douglas to complain of the situation about two weeks ago, but has not yet heard back.
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