Highland contractor error causes sewage backup, damages homes

HIGHLAND — Residents are cleaning up after a sewage backup damaged several homes this week.

Road crews were working on a reconstruction project near 6000 W. 10800 N. when a contractor made an error that backed up an area sewage line. Seven homes were flooded, mostly in basements, by the sewage.

Clean-up crews were on the scene within a half-hour after residents contacted city officials, but not before considerable damage was done to the homes.

“The contractor has taken responsibility for this,” says Highland City Assistant Administrator Erin Wells. “They’re going to work with their insurance company to make sure that everything gets settled with the homeowners that way.”

Despite the frustrating situation, Wells says affected homeowners have been cooperative and easy to work with.

“We’re very sad that this happened to those residents, and sorry that it took place,” Wells says. “We’re doing our best to work with all parties involved, the residents and our contractors, to ensure everybody is taken care of during this time.”

As a bright spot in this stinky situation, a nearby Tenney’s Pizza restaurant reached out to the homeowners to offer a discounted meal.

“They all went in and did a big group dinner together to be able to take a break from everything that was going on,” says Wells.