Call Kurtis Investigates: Stinky Situation
MODESTO (CBS13) - She thought sewage was included in her water bill to the City of Modesto so why does the city of Ceres say she owes money for sewage services?
We found out it's a problem dating back to the 70's that could affect thousands.
Jessica Bonham never knew flushing the toilet was later going to become such a stink.
She pays the City of Modesto for water. She has since moving in two years ago. But in August, the City of Ceres left a surprise note on her door. She owed $1,106.54 for sewage service dating back to when she moved in.
"Basically my stomach just dropped. I was really nervous, I had no idea I owed for that as well," says Jessica.
They threatened to dig up her sewer lines if she didn't pay $260 right then. And they meant it, already marking up the street.
But this single mom of two doesn't have that kind of money.
"I was so upset, I had tears pouring down because I was really nervous and stressed," says Jessica.
She had no idea why she'd pay the City of Modesto for water but the City of Ceres for sewage.
"It's Modesto address but it's not within the City of Modesto," says Richard Ulm, Deputy Director of Utility Planning & Projects, City of Modesto.
Turns out Jessica and about 2,000 homes around her area in an unincorporated area known as North Ceres. Sure the water flowing into their homes comes from the City of Modesto.
But what they don't realize when it goes down the drain, it flows through sewer lines that belong to the City of Ceres, which carry the sewage to Modesto's treatment plant.
And Ceres wants to be paid. But why did it take two years for Ceres to bill Jessica?
"North Ceres has always been a challenge to us," says Michael Riddell, Public Works Superintendent, City of Ceres.
Riddell says he can't bill a homeowner, until he realizes the resident is using the sewer lines.
"The problem for us is there's that disconnect... where Modesto turns the water on, we don't get notified," says Riddell.
And he says this communication problem has gone on for decades. But the City of Modesto shifts the blame to homeowners.
"We let the customer know that we provide them with water but they would need to contact the City of Ceres to sign up for sewer service," says Leslie Curtin, Customer Services Division Manager, City of Modesto.
Jessica insists no one told her. The City of Ceres says it has no idea who's using its sewer lines in this neighborhood.
The homes don't have on or off valves. They don't have meters.
So if the city finds out you're using their pipes and you don't pay your bill, they say they have no choice but to tear up the line.
"We literally have to go out and dig the sewer line and disconnect it," says Riddell.
That won't happen here. In the end, the City of Ceres agreed to work with her on a payment plan.
"I feel a little bit better, I'm just discouraged that it took this long," says Jessica.
So how has this problem gone on for decades? Because the City of Modesto bills for water.
One simple solution we offered up... why doesn't Modesto bill these 2,000 homes for sewage too? Then they can deal with paying Ceres.
Guess what?
Both cities are now considering our idea.
In fact, they're meeting this week to talk about it.
We'll see what they come up with, so nobody else gets a stinky bill.
