SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – Many in Metro Detroit face the financial dilemma of failing septic fields, forcing them to connect to city sewer services where they are available.
But for one Southfield family, this week has been a mad scramble. What should have been a simple one-day job became a drawn-out ordeal.
Local 4 would usually get phone calls from residents and their families in a panic because their septic system had disconnected. They expected to quickly connect to the sewer line, but it got very complicated and uncomfortable when they couldn’t find the sewer line, and the meter was running all the while.
Ryan Simms bought his house 16 years ago. He said he had to have county-ordered septic inspections every three years, and he knew this year, time and aging pipes and tanks would force his hand.
“I just thought that I might as well go ahead and get connected to the city because I was going to fail the inspection anyway, so I didn’t want to waste the money on an inspection,” said Simms.
So Simms’ contractor showed up Monday (March 7) and started digging. Then, on Tuesday, they couldn’t find the sewer line.
“Can’t use the washer and dryer, minimal with the toilet, it was quite a headache,” Simms said.
They called the city, which sent out the blueprints to find the sewer line, but by Thursday midday, they still hadn’t found it.
“They couldn’t find it, so they went to where the city said they were, where the city said the tap was, and there was no tap,” Simms said.
Finally, amid the oil pipeline, the water pipeline, and the fiber optic cable underground, they found the sewer line without what they call the riser.
The city is supposed to provide. Remember, the cash register rings with every scoop of dirt, causing stress and aggravation.
We spoke with Southfield Mayor Kenson Sirer on the phone. He told Local 4 there was no ill intent on the city’s part here. They want these hookups to go smoothly.
“I’m greatly appreciative to have my sewer connected now, you know, it’s real hectic the last few days,” Simms said.
So, things are getting back to normal at the Simms residence. They have full use of the laundry and bathrooms, but they did have to take out a loan to cover the cost. That went up a bit as a result of the extra time digging.