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Privately owned leaking sewage pump station reported to state, city says
Local resident Timothy Allen brought his concerns about sewage overrun onto his property to the Fort Scott City Commission Tuesday.
Allen said he has lived in Fort Scott for most of his life. He said he has been dealing with problems with a nearby pump station connected to the Timbers Edge Subdivision that has caused sewage overflow into the pond his dad built in 1967 adjacent to his property. The subdivision’s sewage is pumped into the city sewer system.
“We’ve run into some problems with the pump station there,” Allen said.
Allen said he spoke with Public Utilities Director Michael Mix and County Commissioner Jeff Fischer in May about the station “not operating correctly,” and has also contacted the Kansas Department of Health and Environment about the issue.
“And nothing’s been done,” Allen said. “It’s been eight weeks and it’s still not completely fixed.”
Allen said he’s concerned the sewage could contaminate the water or pollute the soil. He shared with commissioners photos of raw sewage running into the pond.
Allen also said the water in the pond has tested positive for E. coli, according to KDHE.
“I called KDHE myself. It wasn’t reported,” he said.
In the water test, Allen said he was informed by KDHE that “the UV lights will OK the water.”
“But what if this was Gunn Park, where kids are playing? What would we have done?” Allen asked.
Allen said he was also concerned the lift station has “no backup power system.”
“It runs out and into my pond … it’s done damage,” he said. “I need it cleaned up.”
Allen asked the commission when the lift station issues would be addressed.
City Manager Dave Martin said a meeting was held Tuesday with the developers and the lift station was scheduled for repairs and should be fixed by late August. Martin also said the city had an agreement with developers that the lift station would be built to city specifications but the city “has nothing to do with its operations” as it is located in the county.
“It’s a private lift station,” Martin said. “We’re working with KDHE to update it.”
Commissioner Jim Adams said the city’s only responsibility is to accept the sewage which is pumped out.
“It’s not our pump station,” he said. “We’re responsible for transporting it when it’s in the city.”
Allen asked whether the repairs would meet KDHE regulations, to which Martin responded they would.
“We jumped in when nothing was getting done,” Martin said.
Martin said Wednesday the city was notified of the lift station issue in early May.