Residents complain of recurring sewer backups; mayor says lining and cleanup work underway

Several Wilkes-Barre residents told City Council at its Aug. 14 meeting that recurring sewer backups and stormwater overflows have damaged homes and vehicles and posed chronic public-health and access problems.

At the meeting a resident identified as Jason described repeated sewer failures on Hilton Street and nearby blocks, calling the situation “an absolute disgrace, complete mismanagement.” He said private property insurance has been canceled in some locations because of ongoing subsidence and sewer risk, and that sidewalks and telephone poles were damaged.

Mayor George Brown responded that city crews, the sanitary authority and contractors have been working for weeks to clean…