An East Houston homeowner is facing a troubling situation as her neighbor’s sewage is reportedly causing a significant sinkhole in her backyard. Despite her efforts to address the issue, she claims she is met with little more than empty promises from city officials.
Terese Taylor, a resident of a neighborhood off Mesa Drive, has been dealing with the consequences of a sewer line reconnection conducted by the city last year. This alteration has led to sewage from neighboring properties draining into her yard, which has resulted in a substantial sinkhole forming on her property.
Frustrated with the lack of action, Terese has reached out to the city multiple times, seeking assistance to fix the sewage lines that are impacting her home. She has shared numerous emails with the city’s 311 service that highlight a pattern of inconsistent responses, with some messages stating that help would arrive the next day, while others claim the matter has been resolved, which it has not.
Despite city employees visiting her property regularly to manage the sinkhole, Terese feels that no lasting solutions have been put in place. The city has reportedly indicated they are unsure how many homes are contributing to the sewage problem affecting her backyard.
“The smell is unbearable, especially when it rains, and the area gets flooded. The water rises all the way up to where the truck is parked, making it impossible for us to even access the backyard,” she expressed. “It’s a deplorable situation.”
As Terese’s property continues to sink, she is left hoping for a resolution from the city. In response to her concerns, a spokesperson from the public works department has stated they will provide answers by early next week.
