Residents of Springfield’s Northeast Side got a chance to hear from city and U.S. EPA officials about what’s to be done about perennial northeast side sewer problems.
Greg Weickart, who says his area is prone to flooding, says even just a small amount of rain backs up both storm and sewer lines causing a potential health problem.
“Right in my neighborhood, I know of many families who have problems and have professionals come out to see it but it always ends up in the street,” says Weickart. “We hear about flooding downtown but never about neighborhoods.”
Springfield Public Works Director Mark Mahoney says the EPA has issued a report saying the city needs to remedy the problem. That could result in some grants or federal loans, but the scope and details of such awards or the projects to accompany them aren’t yet known.
Mahoney says the increase in sewer rates along with federal loans is helping to fund sewer upgrades.