City considers paying for residential sewage damage

May 30--KNOB NOSTER -- Aldermen will decide in June whether to pay for work at a residence after the city's line backed sewage into Jack and Jackie Lee's house, 310 W. McPherson St.

The Lees said water came into their basement after heavy spring rain. Sewage damaged floors, walls and personal items, Jackie Lee said.

"It ruined our basement. Everything had to go," she said.

Jackie Lee said she called the city and Public Works Superintendent Dean Buzzanga inspected.

"He said, 'Yeah, that's the city's sewage line'," she said. "After that, I called the city back up and they said they would put us on the list of damaged houses. I think they said we were number four on the list."

In addition to speaking with city officials, Jackie Lee said the couple met with their insurer. She said insurance covers $5,000, but damage exceeds $7,000.

"We called Steam Master's in Warrensburg and they came out and cleaned up for a week," Jackie said. "Then, we had a plumber out here and he put a check valve so it will stop it from happening again and then cleaned the area out with a backhoe."

Mayor Stan Hall and City Administrator Doug Kermick said the city's new insurance carrier will not pay for the damage.

"Our old one would have and we are trying to go back to them as quickly as possible," Hall said.

Kermick said a state statute frees municipalities from liability for such incidents.

"They are taking advantage of a hold harmless law set up by the state," he said.

The couple asked the city to split costs after the insurance payout, with the city's share being $1,131.

Alderman Tom Brent said residents are advised to add sewage backup coverage to homeowners insurance.

"I looked into for myself and it would cost only $47," he said. "It's probably a good idea because it would be the last we would hear about this happening."

Kermick said older houses hooked into city lines do not have check valves.

"That is something people should also look at because, while our lines are big enough to accommodate normal stuff, when we have those big rainfalls like we had there will be backups," he said.

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