STARKE, Fla. — A manhole cover that continues to erupt with overflown sewage is causing problems for residents in Starke.
It's a problem with more water on the way neighbors are concerned the issue will get worse before it gets fixed.
Regina Woods and Crystal Grant say they have rented a home for the last year on North Water Street. They say in the last 10 days their address has held true to its name.
“We have a sewage overflow and it’s running into my yard,” Woods said.
Woods says the first eruption in front of her home happened Aug. 20th.
"The feces -- all kind of stuff coming from the sewer, anything you can imagine being in the sewer was in our yard, and we had to step out into it. We didn't have a choice," Woods said.
Woods and Grant say the smell is unbearable. They have even paid to stay in a hotel on the nights following the sewer eruptions in front of their home.
Woods, Grant and their landlord say they have alerted the city about the issue.
The city says it is aware of what is going on and is working with the Department of Environmental Protection.
They city also says the problem is complex and difficult to fix. They say they’ve been cleaning up the area several times as needed.
Meanwhile, Grant says that every time it rains, they have to deal with it. She says staying in a hotel is no longer an option because it’s getting too expensive.
“It’s going to flood our yard out and we are going to have to deal with it because we don't have anywhere else to go,” Grant said.
The city has posted signs warning people in the area about the sewage problem.
The State Department of Environmental Protection is monitoring the situation in Starke.
WJAX
