Residents tell Aberdeen council repeated manhole backups have ruined their basement; staff to follow up

Brian and Kaylee Lloyd described recurring sewer backups that repeatedly flood their basement, saying a neighborhood manhole that collects multiple properties’ sewer regularly becomes clogged and they are often the first to be affected. The Lloyds said private contractors have charged them more than $8,000 to snake lines and that they received a reconstruction estimate they characterized as “$25,000–$50,000.”

The Lloyds asked the council what the city could do to clarify maintenance responsibility and to reduce the financial burden on their household. Brian Lloyd said the clogged manhole sits near property lines and the plumbing converges there before entering the city system, and that the uncertainty about whether the manhole is private or public has blocked a straightforward solution.

Council members and staff acknowledged the problem and described prior site visits and conversations. Mayor Shaaman and staff said Jeremy and Stu from city operations have previously met the Lloyds and that city staff will review prior notes, meet with the family again, and follow up by phone and email. Stu noted there are other private or shared sewer configurations in town and said resolving the Lloyds’ problem may require significant work.

The Lloyds told council they lack funds for a full reconstruction and asked whether alternatives to a full reroute existed. Staff committed to revisit the site and evaluate options short of a full property excavation, then return with recommended next steps. The council did not take formal action at the meeting; staff will report back to the Lloyds and the council.

Ending: The Lloyds left contact information and the city said staff (Jeremy and Dave) will follow up; no timetable was set during the meeting.