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Lowellville residents report repeated power outages and sewage backing into homes; engineer to investigate
Summary
Residents told the Village of Lowellville council they have experienced multiple power outages and repeated sewage/backflow incidents on Styme Road; the village engineer will inspect the system and village officials said they will coordinate with Republic and the EPA to find solutions.
Several Lowellville residents reported persistent utility problems at the Oct. 9 village council meeting, saying repeated power outages and sewage or waste entering homes on Styme Road have left households frustrated and seeking fixes.
Marilyn Williams of 595 Walnut St. told council she is “frustrated over so many power outages,” and asked the mayor to raise the problem with FirstEnergy. The mayor said he would follow up with the utility but cautioned the village has limited authority over a private electric company.
Five residents from Styme Road described recurring sewage or waste intrusion into homes; one resident said the problem has happened “five to six times.” Council members and staff discussed cleaning lines twice a year, installing lateral and backflow prevention devices, and separating storm and sanitary flows where possible. The mayor said he has met with Republic (the village wastewater contractor) and apologized for missed notices to affected residents.
Zach of MS Consultants, the village engineer, said he will meet with Styme Road residents to inspect the system and evaluate fixes. Zach also pointed to the Jackson Street pump station as a related infrastructure piece and said the village will work with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on longer-term remedies next year.
The engineer report delivered at the meeting noted additional maintenance steps, including repairing manholes to keep stormwater out of the wastewater plant; a finalized GIS map was expected the following week to help target work. Council did not adopt a new ordinance at the meeting but directed staff and the engineer to proceed with inspections and to coordinate with Republic and state/federal partners as needed.
