Residents urge Plain City to probe Mid Ohio Water sewer pump failure after basement backups

Residents described a weekend lift-pump failure that they say resulted in sewage backing into basements and community areas, and urged the village to hold the utility partner accountable.

"This failure was not just an inconvenience. It was a serious public health concern," said Connor Fullenkamp, a visitor who addressed the council during the visitors portion. He and other residents said human waste reached multiple basements, retention ponds and green spaces used by children and pets, and that the incident posed risks to water quality and public health. A resident who spoke afterward said she called Mid Ohio at 9:56 a.m., received no timely updates, and ultimately paid a $1,000 insurance deductible to bring in a private cleanup company, Servpro. "They came and cleaned all night Friday, all day Saturday," the resident said.

The presiding official acknowledged residents' frustration and noted a Mid Ohio meeting set for Dec. 16 at 1 p.m. in this room, and asked residents to email comments if they cannot attend. Fullenkamp urged the village to "improve oversight of the multiple lift stations serving my development specifically" and to conduct an independent investigation to determine root cause and steps to prevent future incidents. The council did not take immediate formal action at the meeting beyond announcing the utility meeting and offering to accept written comments to present on residents' behalf.