Clean Water Current
Houstonians refuse to let city workers make sewage repair, citing coronavirus concerns
HOUSTON – Residents in one Eastwood neighborhood have chained their fences and refuse to let city workers on the property to repair a wastewater line, citing coronavirus concerns.
“You do not have my permission to enter my property,” John Pluecker wrote on a sign posted on his fence. “We are currently under a shelter-in-place order. Go home.”
Houston Public Works is trying to take care of an “urgent” wastewater line repair that is “necessary” to prevent “major health and safety” problems, a city representative said in a statement.
However, Jefferson Street residents are not experiencing urgent wastewater problems, Pluecker said. His neighbor also told us this is not an emergency.
“They’re wanting to dig in our backyard, and now is not the time,” resident Sara Sotello said.
“For the protection of all of our families and to try to stop this pandemic, we just don’t feel comfortable letting in a dozen construction workers into our backyard,” Pluecker said.