With Millions Of Gallons Of Sewage Spilled, DeKalb Behind Schedule On Fixes

DeKalb County homeowner Ranee Bassett says there have been so many sewer spills in her yard, she can’t sleep when it rains at night, out of worry that there will be an overflow.

Bita Honarvar / WABE

On Dec. 28, 90,000 gallons of sewage came up out of a manhole and poured into Ranee Bassett’s backyard. She lives near the end of a cul-de-sac in DeKalb County with a creek flowing behind her house and tall bamboo bending over the yard.

She said the spill began in the night. What was coming out of the manhole was black, smelly, and she could see toilet paper in it.

“It’s just nasty, disgusting,” she said.