Regarding Tim's plan for last Friday (shown below)

• Friday, 5/11/07 -- The line originating at the manhole in front of 215 Cypress Hills Drive through the back lot easement (behind 219, 215, 205,  & 195 Cypress Hills Drive and  107 & 111 Stanford Ct.) will be TV inspected.  The manholes along the above mention alignment will be checked and resealed to prevent odors from escaping directly.
  
  The TV inspection will determine if there are structural defects or alignment issues that might create traps in the line.  The sealing and re-sealing of the manholes will eliminate direct venting of odors from the mainline.  If odors persist or increase inside or outside of the homes, please contact the City.

Tim's staff did place a camera into the manhole which was located in the back yard of the home at 219 Cypress Hill Drive. The camera became lodged and was damaged in the process. The camera is being repaired.

While they were able to see into that manhole, they discovered another manhole 11-feet below the surface. Although there needs to be more exploration, which will occur when the tv camera is repaired, they believe the connection to the City's sewer system was not done according to the specifications associated with the subdivision's permits and approvals. Tim's crew did some excavation work in the back yard of 219 Cypress Hill Drive.

With that buried manhole, which had sewage in it, Tim wonders if that might be causing a suction effect, and thus causing a pressure buildup which might be the source of pressurized gases into our home's plumbing. All of this is conjecture until more tests can be performed.

I (Chris Dabis) shared with Tim the fact that before the homes were built along the south side of Cypress Hill Drive, and the first two homes on the south side of Celesta Drive, the developer had to fill and compact that steep area. They cut dirt and rock from the Castlemont Drive area, and dumped it along the south side of Cypress Hill Drive. I can still see the evidence of the fill which is, at one point, 18-20 feet deep. That fill includes the area where Tim's crew just found the subterrinean manhole. Of course, there could be more surprises.

We all need to remember that the City does have easements through our property, and those easements give them the legal right to work on their sewer system. We all purchased our homes with those easements and restrictions shown on the deeds. Work with the City's crews and I'm sure they'll work with you and your concerns.

In the meantime, the "hydro-flushing" scheduled to begin today, May 14th, has not begun. They will wait until the camera is repaired so they can properly assess the situation. Tim did not provide a specific date for the hydro-flushing but did say that he would keep in touch so that the website can be updated.

Tim will be delivering sample-bottles to the three residents that wanted them. If other people want their water tested, please let Tim know and he will provide you with sample-bottles, too.

Note: Please excuse my lack of proper terminology, a manhole could also be a sewer main for all that I know. Tim will prepare a summary of their work as it progresses, and he'll use the proper terms.

Four neighbors have registered to be notified when the website is updated. PLEASE register, too, and let your neighbors know about the website so everyone can follow the progress and know the plans to resolve this problem. Click here to send an e-mail to . State your name, your street address, and your telephone number.