A group of local plumbers came together Saturday in East Ridge to fix a major sewage backflow problem for a homeowner that the plumbers said was caused by the county's Water and Wastewater Treatment Authority.
The plumbers, who have been unhappy with the handling of the WWTA's new infiltration program, dug and installed a new 70-foot sewage line for a woman whose basement had been flooded with sewage earlier in the week.
Companies voluntarily offering their services at no charge to the resident on S. Germantown Road included Keefe Plumbing, Shipley Plumbing, P&S, Best and Waterworks.
Mike Keefe of Keefe Plumbing said Waterworks had been called by the homeowner after a drain stopped up. He said Waterworks called the WWTA as required, then waited for a WWTA crew to arrive. He said, when WWTA did not arrive, Waterworks started the work.
Mr. Keefe said a WWTA crew then showed up and took over the work. He said WWTA used a jet truck to flush out the line. But he said the line was so encircled with roots that the WWTA caused a backup of fecal material about four inches deep into the woman's basement, where she has a beauty shop.
He said the WWTA called out a cleaning firm to clean up the mess in the basement. Mr. Keefe said it was estimated that cost to WWTA might be as much as $25,000.
Mr. Keefe said the plumbers decided to get together and handle the sewage line problem.
Mr. Keefe, whose family has been in the plumbing business here since 1950, said since the WWTA infiltration program has gone into place that private plumbers have gotten little sewer line work.
"My phone has only rung about three times since the first of May for sewer lines. They are taking work away from private firms," he said.
The WWTA has begun charging all its customers an $8 per month fee.
That is to fund a program in which the agency seeks to repair leaky sewer lines that allow rain water to enter the system.
WWTA officials could not be reached for comment.