Cole Co. Commission weighs in on sewage leak issue

Cole County Commissioners met Wednesday morning to discuss a wastewater sewage ordinance that eventually passed.

ABC 17 News was also in contact with the owner of the trailer that was at the center of the controversial ordinance’s existence.

On Tuesday night, we reported sewage was still leaking from the property in rural Cole County.

The wastewater treatment ordinance gives commissioners an abatement power.

They don’t have to be as reliant on the county prosecutor when someone is breaking the ordinance.

In this case, the ordinance came about because the trailer on Landing Creek Road had been leaking sewage for years and the county prosecutor wouldn’t do anything because the owner was in prison.

ABC 17 talked to neighbors near the trailer who said they’re happy the commissioners have taken a stand.

The trailer’s owner talked from his Halfway House, and said they’re working with the county and state Attorney General’s office.

When ABC 17 reached out to Cole County health officials, they said the owners have not submitted any plans for a sewage system.

Commissioner Jeff Hoelsher said the stronger ordinance is needed.

“It’s going to give them a little bit of teeth to abate property if they don’t have something that complies with the ordinance. We can go in and do the work, and then put a lien on the property,” said Hoelsher.

The homeowners now have 90 days to comply with wastewater violations.