Clogged sewer line creates unsafe conditions at apartment complex

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Residents in a northwest Houston apartment complex are fed up with sewage that's been bubbling over.

"I can't tell you how bad it is, but it's awful," said Joann Rodriguez who lives in the Waterford Apartments.

The smell of raw sewage is forcing many to run and dodge a walkway between two buildings. Eyewitness News noticed one woman covering her nose as she ran away from the area.

"It has gotten worse recently," said Tiffany Fisher.

The sewage water is now almost ankle-deep. Residents say it's been building up for weeks. You can see soggy toilet paper, flies everywhere and even worms growing from the ground.

"There's crap everywhere. Excuse my language," said Rodriguez.

The problem is something Tiffany Fisher can't ignore any longer. She's complained to the apartment management company over and over again.

"There was raw sewage spilling over the sidewalk. And I had to stop children from going through it on their bikes or barefoot," said Fisher.

On Tuesday, we saw an apartment maintenance man hosing down the sidewalk. He did not fix the problem, but was spreading the mess.

"It's just adding more water to the crap," said plumber Keith Carter.

And just as we showed up, Carter got to work to try and unclog the sewer lines.

"You have to call the restoration people. They have to come and clean up the dirt. This dirt is no good," said Carter.

Carter said he can't do that, but he did end up unclogging the line.

Eyewitness News reached out to the Waterford Apartment manager. We left a voice message and email, but as of news time we did not hear back from anyone.