City of Albemarle sued over sewage leak

The Albemarle City Council discussed in a closed session meeting recently a lawsuit between the city and an insurance company.

Pennsylvania National Mutual Casualty Insurance Company, the plaintiffs in the suit, is a company contracted by Talbert Realty for a property on 127 S. First St. Make It Personal, a custom apparel business, occupies that address.

According to the suit filed June 14, sewage seeped up in the property through a toilet on or about Nov. 25, 2022. Hatley Plumbing Services was called in to fix the issue, and while snaking the sewer lines to the property's bounds, "found an obstruction at the curb for the City's street."

The suit alleges the issue causing the problem was a blockage in Albemarle's sewage system, and caused $47,022.50 worth of damage, paid by the insurance company.

The lawsuit claims the city is guilty of negligence and did not ensure "that the sewage system located near the property was operating in a reasonable manner."

It further alleges the city did not properly design and maintain the system, and is looking for greater than $25,000 along with attorney's fees.

A City of Albemarle spokesperson has said the city does not publicly comment during an open lawsuit.

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