Alton couple sues city for sewage flooding, property damage

A Madison County couple filed a lawsuit against the City of Alton after sewer line repairs allegedly caused sewage flooding in their basement, forcing them to evacuate their home.

Violet and Howard Connoyer filed the complaint on March 27 in Madison County Circuit Court against the city of Alton.

According to the complaint, the plaintiffs resided at 616 Olmstead Way in Alton. They allege defendant was responsible for maintaining the sewer systems in Alton through the Public Works Department.

The couple, who purchased their home in 1989, claims that the defendant, headquartered at 101 E. Third St. in Alton, knew of flooding and sewage backup issues beginning in 2005.

According to the complaint, the defendant made changes to sewer lines, which negatively impacted the plaintiffs’ home in 2012. The Connoyers claim they made several reports to the city regarding sewage backup, and that on April 3, 2014, they called the defendant to report floodwater smelling of human feces in their basement.

The suit states that the basement floor cracked under the pressure, and the volume of sewage destroyed three sump pumps. Damages were so severe that they were forced to evacuate, their house was uninhabitable and they were forced to sell the property at auction, the plaintiffs allege.

The plaintiffs accuse the defendant of negligence, creation of a nuisance, and other related counts.

The Connoyers seek damages in excess of $50,000, plus attorneys’ fees and costs. The couple is represented by Matthew Nagel of the Bi State Injury Law Center in Chesterfield, Mo.

Madison County Circuit Court case number 15-L-399