Summit Hill man says sewage is seeping into basement

A Summit Hill man said raw sewage sometimes seeps into his basement through a drain opening. To complicate the situation, he said two manhole covers were covered when street paving occurred, which makes it difficult to find the source of the problem.

Joseph Behovich of East Hazard Street said the sewage has entered his basement several times since Nov. 6.

“My home smells like raw sewage,” he said.

Discussion on the problem continued between Behovich and the council for nearly an hour during Monday night’s council meeting before councilman Bill Chapman agreed that a special workshop meeting will be called specifically to address the situation.

Chapman said the date of the meeting will be set after the borough discusses the matter with its engineer.

Council President Michael Kokinda brought the impasse between Behovich and the council to a head when he stated, “It has to be addressed. We have to get it fixed somehow.”

Before that, some council members discussed waiting until spring to address the matter.

Council also talked about the possibility of digging up the line and charging Behovich for the costs if it turns out the problem is in his lateral and not the main service line.

Behovich said that several manhole covers in the area of Hazard and Chestnut streets were viewed with a camera but no image could be taken of the line near his home because the manhole covers were sealed. He said there are 707 feet of line which can’t be viewed with the camera.

Borough Secretary-Treasurer Kira Steber said she hasn’t received any other complaints of sewage backup.

Chapman told Behovich the borough would be willing to dig up the street. If it’s the borough’s problem, the matter will be fixed.

“If not, you will be responsible for the cost,” Chapman said.

Behovich asked what the cost would be. Chapman said the permit to dig up the street would cost between $700 and $1,400.

“So I have to live with raw sewage in my basement?” he asked.

Behovich said he hired a plumber to check the situation but the problem couldn’t be resolved. He asked if the borough could somehow check the manhole covers.

Chapman responded, “Right now, we can’t do anything about it.”

“The manholes should not have been paved over to begin with,” said Behovich.