Sewage Leaking Into Residents' Yards

ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- Asheville's Metropolitan Sewage District says it has had several complaints about plumbing in one west Asheville subdivision.

The neighborhood has its own private sewage system, and people say it backs up and spills out right into their yards.

Bryan Newcomb has a well taken care of yard. At least they smell better than the raw sewage assaulting his nostrils.

"I like being out in the yard. You couldn't even stand it. You could smell it when you come out of the house," Newcomb said.

Newcomb says twice in the last eight months, the system has backed up and leaked into his yard.

"They said there were feminine products, personal protection products, raw sewage, just dumped it right there in the yard. When they got through, they just left," said Newcomb, complaining about the people who came to clean the system.

The problem begins up the creek.

"It don't smell too good," said Clarance Wheeler.

The problems begin in the part of the system behind Wheeler's home.

"It was leaking. Raw sewage was coming out," Wheeler said.

Some blame the developer. He told us he wants the city to takeover the system. He said he hadn't owned any property in the area for years. Newcomb would love the city to takeover.

The sewage district says it would like to take over the system, but somebody from the health department has to give that order.

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