DETROIT – A Detroit homeowner says his property has been hit with flooding and sewage backups during heavy rain, and he believes a city construction project in his neighborhood is to blame.
Now, he’s demanding answers.
Willie Riley said the issues started after the city of Detroit began work on the West Chicago Storm Water Improvement Project, a storm and sewer modernization effort in the area near Meadow Park and West Parkway.
During a recent rainfall, Riley recorded video showing standing water and street flooding.
“As you can see, it’s raining. The street is flooding real bad,” Riley said in one clip.
Riley says he’s been documenting flooding “off and on” for about a year and claims the damage has been extensive. He says water has pooled around his home long enough to impact the structure.
“After all of that water sat there, all of my foundation is gone. It’s broke up,” Riley said.
He also says that during heavy rain, water and sewage flow into his home, at times rising several steps up his entryway.
“We had so much water, it came about up to this third step; it just all was a lake,” Riley said.
Nearby residents told us they’ve seen the impacts Riley describes.
“No doubt about it. He’s had to redo his basement too many times. Because the water just comes and it floats right down his driveway,” said neighbor Mike Dean.
Riley says the flooding has destroyed furniture and appliances inside his home.
Outside, he says his foundation is cracking, and the property continues to deteriorate.
The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) says the stormwater improvement project is not the cause of Riley’s flooding.
Deputy Director Sam Smalley said DWSD crews investigated the area, including cleaning catch basins, scoping sewer lines, and checking flow on the city’s side.
“The stormwater improvement project going on out there is not causing this property or any other properties flooding,” Smalley said.
DWSD says its inspection found what it believes is the source of the issue: damage to Riley’s private sewer lateral.
“When we televised his sewer lateral, his fence post for a newly installed fence was drilled through his sewer lateral. So that’s what’s causing the issue in our opinion,” Smalley said.
Riley says he’s not satisfied with the city’s explanation and plans to keep documenting the problem.
“We would hope that you would do your utmost to ensure that you protect the citizens of Detroit,” Riley said.
DWSD maintains that it believes this is a private homeowner issue rather than a city-related problem.
City officials say one option for homeowners dealing with private sewer line problems is the Private Sewer Repair Program through Detroit’s Housing and Revitalization Department.