Having grown tired of raw sewage running onto their property after heavy rains, a Granite City couple filed suit in Madison County Circuit Court seeking at least $150,000 in damages.
Michael and Linda Evola claim sewage seeped into the lower level of their home at 39 Georgetown Drive on Jan. 4, 2005, after a rainstorm in the metro-east area backed up the sewer system.
The suit names Granite City, Madison County Sewer District, City of Pontoon Beach and the City of Mitchell.
"Defendants had a duty to use reasonable care in the operation, maintenance, inspection, refurbishing, design and construction of the sewer system so as not to cause injury to plaintiffs and others rightfully using or attempting to use the sewer system," the complaint states.
According to the complaint filed Jan. 3, the defendants caused the back-up by failing to operate the sewer system in a safe and reasonable manner.
The Evolas also claim the defendants failed to:
The Evolas claim that they have endured discomfort and annoyance from the time their real property was inundated with sewage until presently.
The Evolas claim they have spent money for cleaning and sanitation of the personal and real property, spent money for repairs, replacements and improvements to their property, suffered damage to articles of personal property with great sentimental value, suffered a depreciation in the market, rental or usable value of their real property.
"The invasion of raw sewage into the Evola's home was unreasonable," the complaint states.
The Evolas are represented by John Cunningham of Belleville.
The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Don Weber.
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