Smelly sewage situation plagues residents in Fayette County

HILLTOP, WV (WVNS) – Residents in Fayette County reported there were two separate breaks in the sewage pipes in Red Star and Hilltop, which are neighboring communities.

They say it is overflowing and contaminating the area too.

“It is contaminated under, through, and on the other side of the tracks. We have raw sewage coming out of the ground,” said local resident, Fred Wanty

These breaks have also resulted in the contamination of a local creek named Smith’s Branch.

Local residents are fed up with sewage problems and say this isn’t the first time they faced an issue like this.

Wanty told 59News the overwhelming stench is not even the worst part.

“This is a tributary of Dunloup Creek, which has been failing its fecal matter chloroform test for quite a few years. They have been slowly working on getting that fixed,” said Wanty.

Wanty explained that, as you trace through the ecosystem in the area, the creek flows into the New River – one of West Virginia’s major waterways.

The company that operates this sewage system is White Oak Public Service District.

When 59News investigated this sewage problem, White Oak PSD said they were already responding to the issue and assessing the sewage breaks.

Residents are hopeful that this will be a permanent fix and that this smelly situation won’t be plaguing their community again.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.