Business owner says raw sewage has been spewing into building for months

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A north Houston business owner says raw sewage has been spewing into the facility for months and that the city has been unable to do anything to stop it.

Darryl Little owns Central Tape & Label in the 5500 block of Bingle. He says he first complained about the stench and unsanitary conditions back in February. Every time any of his company's 22 employees uses the restroom or one of the sinks, he says it causes the sewage to back up into the building.

"The smell is so bad," Little said. Over the past three months he says he and others at the business have reported the foul odor and unsanitary conditions to the City of Houston. Little says employees have had to leave work early as they've been overcome by the stench. They've had to go to other facilities or even their homes throughout the day to use the restroom.

Little says the Public Works department has repeatedly had crews to his property to try and rectify the issue. He admits they have tried to fix it but says they have been unable to for one reason or another. "I think they get working on something else and don't have the manpower to do it. I'm not sure," he said.

Following our phone calls beginning Thursday, a city spokesperson says contractors should soon be out to fix the problem. City of Houston Public Works spokesperson Alvin Wright said "Our guys are trying to do due diligence... This is infrastructure, it happens."

Wright says crews have been unable to determine if the sewer line to and from the business is clogged or just otherwise broken. "We know the people need to have some relief," he said.