City wants to fix sewer and stormwater issues for two east neighborhood streets

A project to fix sewer and stormwater issues on two east campus neighborhood streets moves forward.

Residents on Wilson Avenue and Ross Street currently have a privately owned sewer line. The city wants to step in and get an easement to help those residents fix and maintain the line.

Currently some sewer lines are running through their neighbor’s yard so if something is wrong, they have to get permission from their neighbor to fix it.

The project would cost $400,000 and would also replace the current stormwater system.

In 2012, residents on Wilson Avenue and Ross Street petitioned to the city to eliminate the current sewer line or formally known as a private common collector sewer line.

The current line connects two or more properties but there are problems associated with that. Lee White, the sewer utilities project engineer, said “If a sewer backs up into a house then the neighbor has to go on someone’s property to fix it.”