Bethel shut off the water at a house leaking sewage and it came back on

Bethel shut off the water at 251 Akiak Drive on Aug. 12, to keep the household from producing any more wastewater after a failed private system spilled untreated sewage onto the ground. The resident turned it back on the next day.

The first nuisance notice had gone out July 31. On Aug. 21 the city council sat as a court to hear the case. City Manager Lori Strickler laid out the evidence that the property was a public health and environmental hazard. Owner Larry Little attended and presented evidence of his own.

The council ordered a cleanup plan by Aug. 24 and repair of whatever is discharging by Aug. 25. Both dates have passed. The city's September report says enforcement continues.

If it stays unfixed, the city can do the work itself and bill the owner, placing a lien on the property that it can foreclose. Little can ask the council to rehear the case or appeal to Superior Court.

The Planning Commission meets Sept. 10 at 6:30 pm at City Hall to take up nuisance properties. The planning director has asked commissioners to rank eight of them for a future abatement hearing. 251 Akiak Drive is not one of the eight.