Nevada residents report sewage backups after July storm; city promises investigation

Multiple Nevada residents told the City Council they experienced sewer and stormwater backups after a heavy storm July 20, saying basements were flooded with sanitary water and causing substantial cleanup costs. Residents at 947 Samson Drive and nearby addresses reported three inches or more of sewage-laden water in basements and asked the city for answers and possible financial help.

Why it matters: Flooding of sanitary or combined systems can cause health hazards and large out-of-pocket costs for homeowners. Several speakers said the problem affected multiple houses in a single block, and they asked the city to identify the cause and whether the city would help with cleanup or mitigation.

Residents described the scope and costs. “We had 3 plus inches of water. We're one of several families on Samson Drive where the storm sewer system seemed to have malfunctioned and backed up into our house,” Matt McLeod said during the public forum. Jim George said he and other neighbors are negotiating remediation bills of about $12,000 and that furniture and personal items will need replacement.

City staff acknowledged multiple calls and said engineering and street staff are reviewing the system. “I've been in contact with our engineer, and we're looking at possible plans; we'll put a plan together with them,” a city staff member identified in the meeting as Jordan said, and the staff scheduled further follow-up after a meeting on August 7.

Council members and staff said the next step is to determine the cause — whether a stormflow event, a clogged or damaged pipe, or problems with a lift station — before deciding on reimbursements or broader programs such as backflow-preventer grants. Some residents asked whether the city would reopen or extend the previous sump pump/backflow grant programs; staff said they would check with the city’s insurance and other funding sources.

Council procedure and next steps: City staff said they will convene engineers after the August 7 internal meeting and then communicate results to affected residents. Until the city has an engineering determination, councilmembers did not commit city funds to reimburse homeowners.

Less-critical details: Speakers at the public forum also reported stormwater pooling in parks and at intersections and asked about long-term infrastructure upgrades; staff said those items are already on maintenance lists and that weekly mosquito spraying will continue while conditions remain wet.

Ending: City staff asked affected residents to continue to submit damage reports and to expect follow-up after the August 7 engineer meeting.