Topeka construction leads to sewer water in homes

TOPEKA (KSNT) – Residents in southwest Topeka had an unexpected surprise on Tuesday when their basements flooded with sewage. Along with leaving a bad taste in their mouths, it also destroyed their belongings.

“First, I didn’t know what the smell was until I walked downstairs, and it just punched you in the face,” Topeka resident Nathan Jerdee said. “Like, it’s just completely backed up with sewage. Soaked all of our stuff, our laundry, carpet, you know, anything in storage is just ruined.”

A spokeswoman with the city tells 27 News that it appears construction in the area may have contributed to a sewer line backup. Topeka resident Sean Davis says the mess is impacting his family.

“It’s bad. Especially when you have a kid that has to live in the house too,” Davis said. “So, now I have to kind of prep to be like, alright, well, I got to close all this off in my home, got to do this, I have to address many situations on how to fix the situation on how to fix the situation that I have, which is having a child in a home, and it sucks.”

While the city says the issue has been resolved, Davis says that not enough.

“Do better, obviously,” Davis said. “I mean, you contract people, make sure you’re contracting the right people and that they’re doing a correct job.”

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