Sewage overflow concerns in Clinton Co.

EDNA MILLS, Ind. (WLFI) - Flooded areas in Clinton County are starting to recede, but standing water is still a foot deep in Edna Mills. 

County health officers are concerned about sewage overflow.

Officers are in the field today talking to people who live near standing water and taking samples, but they are treating all cases as already contaminated.

Registered Environmental Health Specialist for Clinton County Steve Yeary said people living near standing water should stay clear of it.

"The septic systems that serve these homes and the homes upstream, they can not be expected to work properly under these flooded conditions," said Yeary.

He said it's best to assume all the water is contaminated with sewage.

Edna Mills resident Janet Rhudy started to pump water out her basement as soon as it came in.

"Yesterday it was like living in the middle of the river," said Rhudy.

She said the occasional flooding over the years caused $50,000 worth of damage to her house, mostly in the form of dry rot. Rhudy said her insurance company calls the area where she lives a flood plain, making repairs a nightmare to fix.

"If the flood had done a lot of damage to your house and it has to be torn down. That's it. You can't rebuild also if you want to improve your home. You not only have to go to your county to get your permit, you have to go to the Department of Natural Resources.

Public Information officer for Clinton County Emergency Management Eric Woods said
the EMA director will be working with state officials to determine a total amount for damage in the county and should more rain come they are prepared.

"We always have sand bagging operations that can be instituted at a moment's notice," said Woods.

Residents in Edna Mills would like to see something done to prevent this from happening again.

"I would like to see them dredge the Wildcat much deeper so that it will not do this any more. It's something that is easily done they could take care of," said Rhudy. She said she realizes dredging will cost the state money but she feels that it would be a similar amount to what would be repaid for damages.