Memphis Drive residents concerned about sewage project

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The City of Chattanooga is in the process of working on a project to stop the overflow of sanitary sewage.

Residents on Memphis Drive, who live near the project, say crews have recently addressed some of their concerns.
But they are still worried about how this project is affecting their health.

Drake Boscaino looks over what is going on behind his house, it extends all the way to the end of Memphis Drive.

It’s part of a city project to stop overflow of sanitary sewage.

“These man holes back here have been uncapped and they have been leaking gasses in the air. The station down here, they haven’t had it sealed up. It has been leaking gasses in the air. When it rains hard it overflows and there is sewage everywhere. It is really hard to live here,” Boscaino said.

He says he doesn’t feel safe.

“I don’t feel comfortable. I am losing my health. Several people around here have been getting sick,” Boscaino said.

A man hole near his backyard was open, he posted video to Facebook about his concern. Crews listened and on Thursday it was fixed.

“After I went to work, I received a phone call that they were back here working really fast to seal this man hole up. And I have asked for over a month will you please come out here and seal this so my kid won’t fall in it or the gasses won’t escape and gas us,” he said.

Boscaino understands the goal of the project is to improve the sewer line.

“It does need to happen, our infrastructure does need to be fixed, but the problem that I have is leaving all this stuff open contaminating our environment. It is an environmental disaster right now, with all the pollutants on the ground and in the air,” Boscaino said.

He doesn’t like the impact the project is having.

“I just wish everybody would take care of your environment. It is the only one that we have. And our kids depend on this and their kids do too.”