The City of Akron has restored a sewer connection for a family that was without service since early 2023, but the city declined to replace the entire line as requested by the family, opting to fix the affected section instead.
In a press release from Mayor Shammas Malik鈥檚 office, a spokesperson for the mayor said the city sent contractors March 12 to begin repairs at the home in the city's Kenmore neighborhood. While officials previously thought the line was broken, they said contractors discovered that the line was blocked by a root ball, which was removed, according to the release.
At that point, the city said it informed Tiffany Smith and her family that they could once again use their facilities and flush without any issues. But the contractor did recommend some additional root clean-up and inspection on April 2. The city said Smith declined.
In the press release, the city said it decided against replacing the entire line after a geotechnical report showed that the work could cause boulders, sandstone and vegetation behind a neighbor鈥檚 home to jeopardize the property.
The situation began several years ago, when the city reportedly went to clear a blockage at Smith鈥檚 home. After that failed, city workers left the property, and the city subsequently requested her to take care of the repairs.
Smith and her family confronted members of Akron City Council and the mayor over the ongoing situation during a Jan. 5 meeting.
She said the city鈥檚 attempt to clear the blockage flooded her basement and garage with sewage, and said the city refused to finish sewer repairs on her home, leaving her without clean water.
Smith said she received multiple cease-and-desist letters from city officials to stop contacting them, and was later told she would be charged $30,000 for the repairs, which would be applied through her property taxes.
鈥淲e are going to be homeless,鈥� Smith said in the meeting. 鈥淔or two years, we had to use plastic bags to dispose of tissue after wiping.鈥�
A council member later stated Smith鈥檚 water would not be cut, and the mayor鈥檚 office released a statement at that time pledging to cover the repairs.
In a March 23 letter to Smith included in Friday鈥檚 press release, the mayor wrote, 鈥淲hat is done and how it is done are both important, and we will continue working to address this matter in a way that equitably resolves your concerns.鈥�
