5 On Your Side: Clog in sewage line causes odor issue in Pharr neighborhood
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Pharr, TX (KRGV) — The city of Pharr fixed a sewage overflow from a manhole in one neighborhood after people filed similar complaints on the city's 311 website.
Channel 5 News checked it out and found sewage seeping from a manhole. The sewage had stopped flowing, but the mess was still visible around Luis Alvarez's driveway.
Video from Friday, Oct. 16, showed sewage flowing from the manhole and into the street.
“Lots of water around. Also kids play out here, families are walking around. Cars are passing by here and trying to get into their homes. There is sewage all over in front of them,” Alvarez said.
Alvarez says the problem keeps happening and claims he has reported it before.
“I am not sure what goes on or what causes it. It just keeps on happening no matter how many times they come out here, it's just a thing that goes on,” Alvarez said.
A search of reports on the city's 311 website shows others on West Longoria reported similar problems. People filed two complaints this week and the city has since resolved them.
The city of Pharr released the following statement:
"The City confirms that there are currently no known ongoing wastewater or sewage-related issues in the Longoria Drive area. The City did receive a report from a resident regarding a sewer blockage in the Longoria Drive area on October 19. The issue was promptly addressed and resolved by the City’s Public Utilities Department on October 20.
The City takes all wastewater-related concerns seriously and remains committed to maintaining a safe, reliable, and properly functioning wastewater system. As part of these ongoing efforts, the Public Utilities Department continues to implement preventative maintenance measures to minimize the risk of future blockages and service disruptions.
Residents also play an important role in helping maintain the wastewater system. The City reminds residents to avoid flushing items such as wet wipes, personal care products, diapers, and paper towels, as these materials can contribute to sewer blockages. Additionally, fats, oils, and grease should never be poured down drains, as they can accumulate in pipes and restrict wastewater flow.
The City appreciates the community's cooperation and encourages residents to report any wastewater or sewage-related concerns through the City's 311 app. This allows the appropriate personnel to assess and address reported issues in a timely manner."
“I don't want to park my car here or go into my home and track whatever sewage water that goes in there. I don't want people around the community to smell that or be around that,” Alvarez said.
Although the city fixed the problem, Alvarez hopes it ends for good.
“I feel, like, as citizens, we should have the right to clean streets,” Alvarez said.
The Pharr 311 app lets people report problems that are not emergencies, use GPS to identify a location and add a photo to a request. People can also submit a request on the city's website by filling out a form.
Watch the video above for the full story.
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