HUFFMAN – Families in a northeast Houston neighborhood said they’re fed up with raw sewage backing up into their homes and yards.
People who live in the Lakewood Heights community near Huffman say it happens every time it rains or the power goes out.
Residents say the city spent millions of dollars upgrading a nearby lift station, but since then, the raw sewage problem has only gotten worse.
“It’s disgusting,” resident Lee Matthews said.
Lee Matthews lives along Glengyle Court in the Huffman area. He shared pictures and video with KPRC 2 which showed raw sewage overflowing into his yard.
“It’s really frustrating, especially when you’re handicap and you are in a wheelchair most of the time,” he said.
Matthews says the raw sewage also flows into Lake Houston.
“Pasadena and other towns around us drink that water. Even though it goes through a cleaning plant, how much can you clean it?” Matthews asked.
It is a problem many people in the Lakewood Heights community have been dealing with for several years.
“It’s not just a nasty problem, it’s a health hazard,” Lee said.
Carol MacNeil also lives in the neighborhood. She shared video of wastewater gushing all over her bathroom.
“It was coming up out of the toilet, two or three feet, just shooting into the house,” she said.
Outside of MacNeil’s home, pieces of toilet paper and debris litter her yard. She says a nearby lift station is to blame for the smelly issues.
“We believe we need a generator. It does not have a generator on it now,” MacNeil said.
Our cameras spotted Inframark contractors from the city of Houston taking pictures of the area, but residents said it is nothing new.
“I understand there are budget constraints. I understand the city can only put money here or there, but I just don’t believe this would be happening if we were a ritzier neighborhood or had a little more clout,” Carol said.
City council member Dave Martin represents the area. His office says he is aware of the problem.
The Public Works Department reached out to KPRC 2 and said workers are investigating the issue.