$15+ million spent on city infrastructure
Addressing sewer repairs to prevent third world living conditions has the full support of the Greenville City Council at the May 7 meeting.
City leaders agreed to treat injuries to the sewer line, rather than pursue band-aid solutions.
Public works department heads recommended the council approve $30,000 be spent on a West Terrance Garden sewer line to address the issues that allows sewage to seep into streets and homes.
Cost to make repairs were originally expected at $16,000.
“We want to make the repairs from manhole to manhole,” Jermaine Thornton, said, noting the sections are approximately 100 feet in length and twice the project’s original specifications.
Thornton said the West Terrace Gardens area is in dire need.
“This is an area where we get 200 calls on it everytime it rains,” he said. “One resident said today (Tuesday, May 7) he hasn’t been able to flush since Friday.”
Mayor Eric D. Simmons said repairs previously authorized did not account for the additional work that needs to be done.
Councilman Bill Boykin said sewer issues were also in need of attention on Wildwood Drive, which is an example of why he supports Thornton’s recommendation.
“The council fixed a portion of Wildwood, but it keeps breaking down,” Boykin said. “So in the future, we do need to go more manhole to manhole.”
In addition to repairs to Wildwood and West Terrace Garden, Councilwoman Lurann Thompson said other areas of the city are also in need of sewer repairs.
“There is more than just that area that needs fixing,” she said. “We have areas all over the city of Greenville suffering the same problem.
We are all gearing toward one particular area, but this is all over the city,” she continued. “There are issues in my area. Everything can’t be done there and leave issues elsewhere else.”
Councilman Al Brock said the West Terrace Garden project is of those areas causing the most concern.
In support of moving forward with Thornton’s recommendation, Simmons said the city is considering all issues and working under the guidance of a priority list.
“I agreed we have to consider all of these areas,” Simmons said. “We need to have an outline and have a priority list.
“When sewage backs into tubs and toilets, I support moving forward with this project and prioritizing the other issues.”
Much of the delay in repairing and replacing crumbling sewer infrastructure is a result of funding.
Boykin said he, Simmons, Councilman James Wilson and City Attorney Andy Alexander recently met to discuss the EPA and the city’s plans to meet requirements.
“Yes, you are exactly right. This is not an isolated deal any more, and we have to figure out how to pay for it.” Boykin said. “But we have to start fixing the problem. We have to spend the money and fix these sewer problems. I don’t see any other way and it needs to be done all over town. If we are going to spend $19 million, we need to prioritize it and figure it out.”
Simmons noted authorizing Thornton’s recommendation will not impede other projects that have been approved.
“Doing this doesn’t move the project above the other things in motion,” Simmons said. “It is a repair that has already been approved.”
In addition to addressing sewer lines, Councilwoman Tasha Bailey-Banks said sewer pump issues also need to be resolved.
“When it rains, people need to not have to deal with toilets and sewage backing up. This is not a third world country,” she said. “We have to start at the main pumps, but when are we going to start? We need some action from the council.”
Thornton agreed with Bailey-Banks and said pumps were a priority but budget restraints made the solution complex.
“We know the pumps that have to work in unison to get everything to the collection system,” Thornton said. “Getting that done, the council will have to fund buying pumps. Where do you get the funds from?”
Simmons said the West Terrance Garden area is “one of the worst areas,” as well as Nottingham.
“We have of 200 miles of sewer line that need to be looked at,” Simmons said. “We still have a third of the system to evaluate and identify where the problems are at.
“In the mean time, you can’t wait while the sewage is backing up. We need to give those areas relief.”
Wilson said the area’s geography is both a blessing and a curse.
“We have a lot of issues going on. Fortunately, we live in the Delta next to the river,” Wilson said. “When we try to explain the issues that come with it to the EPA, we don’t get 90 days time based on when the river goes down. And when it does go down, it comes back up again.
“Right now, we can’t dig anywhere and the river is coming back up,” Wilson continued. “It’s only 90 to 100 days out of a year that we can really do major work. We have tried to explain that to them and they don’t care.”
Wilson said the council and city departments are closely monitoring the issues.
“We are concerned about things all over the city with sewer failures and streets caving in,” he said. “Right now, we have some money to do address some of the issues and can’t work because of the water. That is one of the problems we have here in the beautiful Mississippi Delta.”
City engineer Marcus Hooker said in addition to delays caused by ground water, a mandate prevents excavation near the levee depending on the river’s level.
Simmons acknowledged the passion of council members to address the needs of the wards and the city.
“Everyone around this table advocates for your area,” he said. “There are projects going in every ward, and we take the concerns about what is going on in the wards seriously. Right now, we have to move forward with the project.”
The city has spent more than $15.5 million on infrastructure in the past three years, Simmons said.
