Willowridge sewage leak needs fixing

To the editor:
I am a resident of St. Charles Parish and have been for most of my life. When my husband and I moved back after 8 years of Navy life, we were excited to be able to purchase a home in the Willowridge Subdivision. Growing up here, I have always admired and loved the subdivision and when we purchased our small home on Laurel Court I felt beyond blessed.

We have been there now for seven years and the only complaint, and it is a BIG one, is the sewage leak that happens with every good rain. Every time we call they come out and rinse out our ditch with something and make the smell go away and then it happens again. I am literally talking about raw sewage coming directly out of the ground and flowing into our ditches where children and pets play.

I have exhausted every avenue in trying to get this issue resolved. I have seen some effort in the new council but the solution is far into the future. I have been diligent in teaching my son not to play in the ditches and he knows better but unfortunately the children down the street do not. This past weekend (we have been blessed with the sewage leak for two weekends straight), I walked outside to take pictures of the sewage leak and a child had rode his bike through the ditch and fell off his bike and was chest deep in the raw sewage.

I was appalled and I immediately went to find his parents so they would be aware. This is an issue that we as neighbors and parents should not have to be worried about. We should be worried about broken bones, kidnappers, and bullies, not sewage running through our ditches every time it rains. I understand that they are working on a solution but the problem is NOW. I do not understand how anyone can sit by and not handle this matter immediately. Even a temporary solution would be better than nothing. Something should be done until the engineers fix it permanently.

I know this happens in more than just one area in St. Charles Parish and it is truly one of the most disgusting things I have had to be around. At times even toilet paper is bubbling out of the ground with the sewage. The smell is unbearable. The health risks are abundant. I have done research and the list is too long. Exposure to the vapors alone can cause health issues. My neighbor said this has been happening since the new addition of Willowridge was built. Why has this not been resolved for 10+ years.

I do not think it is too much to ask for anyone in any neighborhood to be able to go outside into their front yard and be able to enjoy their surroundings. I am now pleading for immediate action. This situation should not have to burden anyone any longer.

Extremely Concerned,
Leslie Cooper, Luling