Saluda commissioners are considering waiving water and sewer charges for a five month period for one homeowner who had a sewer backup that caused $56,000 of damage.
The Saluda Board of Commissioners met last Monday and discussed a request from homeowner Eva Ravenel, who asked to not be charged for the five months her home was under repair.
Commissioners decided to wait until next month to make a decision awaiting an attorney opinion. The waiver would be about $250.
City officials say the sewer backup occurred several months ago and although the backup has been deemed to no fault on the citys part, the insurance company settled for $56,000. City administrator Erny Williams said the line had no prior issues, so there was no negligence on the part of the city.
“This can happen anywhere, especially where we are because of different elevations,” Williams said. “It was nothing that the city did. There were no problems in the past so there was no negligence on our part.”
Williams also said the homeowner could have requested the water and sewer charges to be included in the insurance settlement, but now it is too late to include those charges. Ravenels home suffered major damage and the home was not useable for the five months of repairs.
Saludas base water, sewer and garbage charges are $59.70 per month.