WASHINGTON — Nearly five months after 12 homes along the D.C. and Prince George's County border flooded following a sewer main break, one of the impacted homeowners says she is facing more plumbing issues.
In January, a broken 10-inch sewer main located on Southern Avenue Southeast caused the flooding that filled the homes with wastewater, according to WSSC Water.
One of the impacted homeowners, Khianti Silver, said her basement has since been repaired, but she is still unable to use the plumbing in her downstairs.
"I've been five months without a washing machine, without a basement bathroom," she said.
Silver showed WUSA9 her shower that had dirt from what she says is water backing up from the drain.
Silver said DC Water conducted an extensive analysis of the area that includes public space and her front yard.
"When they got down to the pipe, they realized the pipe was very brittle," she said.
DC Water says they have made the necessary repairs to the sewer in the public space, but the pending repairs on Silver's property are her responsibility.
Silver says she agreed to pay for the repairs in her front yard.
"They're telling me 'hey, we are going to try to come up with some type of compromise for you where maybe you can repay the city for us to do it in the yard because their responsibility is only to the property line,' so I am like fine," she said.
According to D.C. Code, "When the action is necessary to expedite or facilitate the maintenance of sewer connection, the Department may perform maintenance or repair work on private property if agreed to in advanced by the property owner. The cost of the work, including overhead expenses, shall be paid by the property owner."
Silver said she was blindsided on Saturday when she received a letter from DC Water informing her that she is required to find her own licensed master plumber at her cost to conduct her portion of the repairs.
"As a courtesy, DC Water will keep the excavation open in public space for fivedays, which will reduce your cost of excavating and back filling," the letter said.
"What? What happened to us working together?" Silver said about the letter. "It's so disheartening. Like to be a proud Washingtonian, a tax-paying resident. I still pay my water bill on time and no reprieve."
In a statement, DC Water told WUSA9, "The homeowner has requested that DC Water complete the work, at her expense. While nothing has been agreed to, we are currently looking at options to work with the resident to replace her sewer line."
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