Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Resident Airs Complaint About Sewer

An issue for Gurdon homeowners was aired out at the regular meeting of the Water and Sewer Commission Monday, March 20. During the meeting visiting citizen, Sharon Harper presented her problem and dismay to the commissioners.

On the morning of Feb. 26, after a night of rain, Harper was awaken by the sounds of water backing up into her home out of the three bathrooms with enough water to overflow into each bedroom. Harper said she immediately called the police, who contacted the water department's employee on call, Kenny Freeman.

Once at the Harper residence, according to Freeman, he examined the problem. In the beginning Freeman believed the back-up to be a normal household occurrence. The problem wasn't just a household back-up, according to a report Harold Hurst, water department manager, read to the commission. The report said Freeman observed the main sewer line was plugged up and filling with rainwater.

The following Monday morning, Eddie Harper arrived at the water department to discuss the problem further with little progress.

The Harper home reportedly received damages from what insurance companies refer to as gray water,' meaning water other than the residential property owners.

According to Harper, a representative of the Clark County Health Department recommended the family leave the home until the clean-up was finished to avoid the risk of forms of hepatitis.

"The smell is still in the carpet even after I cleaned it," Sharon Harper said in a telephone conversation. "One estimate for the total damage is almost $3,000 just for carpet."

Since the back-up was city sewage, Harper's homeowner insurance refused to cover the damage to carpets and dry wall. The Harpers purchased their insurance from American Modern Insurance Co. of Benton through agent Michael Golden.

Harper requested the water department pay for the replacement of her carpets and some dry wall work "on advice" of the health department representative.

Hurst empathetically began explaining the department's policy of not paying for private property damage and the department's liability concerning these kinds of situations.

Commissioner Bill Dulin suggested the information and request should be taken to the department's lawyer in order to be absolutely sure about liability.

Harper is clearly displeased with the situation and the commission's answers.

In other business the commission was informed by engineer Charles Summerford the final business of the Greenville Water Project is finished and now all that remains is some legal work, which will be taken care of March 30.

A sewer lift station has been ordered and the work on Miller street will begin within eight weeks or so by BB&B Construction, the commission was informed by Hurst.

Hurst was pleased with the savings in vehicle insurance the Gurdon Water Department is now receiving after shopping for months. The specific coverage needed was found with an insurance company used by the municipal employees. The only difference was the deductible is now raised by $500.

The personnel committee's recommendation to employee James Cox as full-time was passed at the meeting.

A tandem trailer for which Hurst was given permission to purchase, has been bought from Cecil Smith.

The commission discussed the details for purchase of a backhoe before adjourning.