Damn Shame!! Meet The Americans Who Live With Open Sewers In Their Yard

[mfcorey1]

LOWNDES COUNTY, Ala. — A breeze wafts the stench of raw sewage into Eric’s face as he stands outside his ramshackle mobile home. If he notices the smell, he doesn’t react.

The 62-year-old, whose name has been changed to protect his privacy, strolls a few yards from his front door to where a black pipe emerges from the ground and empties a stream of putrid water into a shallow trench. Each time the toilet flushes in Eric’s home, waste flows through the pipe and out to this makeshift sewer. The effluence snakes its way within feet of a stand of trees where two pit bulls are tied up, and disappears into the woods at the far end of the yard.

A number of these waste streams crisscross the property, which Eric shares with relatives who live in several trailers clustered together near his. When it rains, he says, the trenches overflow, spreading bathroom tissue and fecal matter onto the grass. During heavy rains, wastewater backs up into Eric’s bathroom.

There’s also a stinking pool of sewage in the yard, just feet from the door of a nearby trailer. Soggy wads of toilet paper dot the layer of green scum on the surface. The pool is about four feet across and bubbles up from a broken septic tank below. The stench is overpowering. Eric keeps his distance.

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/sanitation-open-sewers-black-belt_us_5a33baf5e4b040881be99da5

[Motley13]

1. Just think about what they are going to do with ALL tht money they will save on their taxes

[Doodley]

2. Having lived in Europe, I feel America is very much like a third-world country in many ways.

[NurseJackie]

4. You're not alone in those thoughts, feelings and observations.

[Irish_Dem]

5. It looks and feels like a third world country more each day. nt

[janx]

3. This line caught me:

Joyce, 50, tries not to flush toilet paper. She discards used tissue in a little trash can, hoping to take some pressure off the system

I was at a museum in People's Square, Shanghai, where the bathroom had signs telling people to do this.

[Ken Burch]

7. That's why they invted the bidet in Europe.

If you can rinse, you don't need paper.

[ProudLib72]

9. They do that in old city Jerusalem

I bet a heck of a lot of old cities have that policy so as not to overburden antiquated sewage systems.

[Kaleva]

6. This was common when I was young.

[Ken Burch]

8. The article doesn't mention it, but in a lot of the South(probably some other regions, too)

White residents have fought any attempt to extend sewage systems to areas where people of color are in the majority. The same white folks who fight to prevent sewage extension then justify their hatred of black and brown people by complaining about how their neighborhoods smell bad.

About the only way to end that is a combination of massive grassroots organization against racism and class exploitation AND the emergence of a new Bobby Kennedy.

[ProudLib72]

10. I don't know why people think septic systems are indestructable

My parents were on septic for several years. It was in a brand new house. Every year they would have to get workmen out to fix the septic system. They would get it sucked every two years as well. I still remember drawing a map to locate the top of the tank because we knew we would need to dig it up often.

[Ms. Toad]

12. I've lived with one for all but 15 of my 62 years.

If the soil is conducive, and there is adequate land, and they are properly build, they are relatively indestructible. We've had no problems with our current one (29 years), and I believe one problem with the ones I grew up with (the first 18 years).

[NickB79]

16. A properly working tank should be pumped every 2-3 years

The solid wastes are digested by bacteria, but there will still be build-up no matter what.

Our septic is going on 30 years with no issues, so long as it's properly cared for.

[ProudLib72]

17. One of the workmen suggested adding good bacteria to the system

My parents had a box of some granules containing bacteria that they flushed once a month.

My point was that a lot of people don't take care of their septic system. Either they don't understand that it needs maintenance or they can't afford it. It's not a set it up and forget about it system.

[FarCenter]

11. You don't use a flush toilet without either a working septic system or sewers.

You use an old fashioned outhouse over a pit, and in the winter time you use a commode with just enough water in the bottom to prevent sticking.

I was about 6 when running water and the septic system were installed. But just running water and flush toilets are only half of a whole system.

[Ms. Toad]

13. Commodes are for wimps!

Just kidding.

We did have an outhouse - but by the time I was around the need to use it was uncommon.

[Texasgal]

14. Not completely shocked.

There are areas in South Texas near the border with no running water or septic systems. It's a damn shame!

[mnmoderatedem]

15. Meh. Big deal

we're all living with an open sewer flowing from the Oval Office on a daily basis.