For more than six weeks, John and Louise Killebrew have watched water bubble up from underneath their driveway in Itta Bena.
The water, which is believed to be coming from a long-abandoned Itta Bena water line, has made the Killebrews’ front yard on Schley Street a soggy mess and
has filled roadside ditches to the brim.
“Something needs to be done,” John Killebrew said. “Because, if it’s not, come mosquito time, this is going to be a mosquito breeding paradise.”
Just a few weeks ago, another leak was found in Killebrew’s backyard. Neither leak is from his water line, he said.
Although the Killebrews’ home is outside the city of Itta Bena, they use city water and sewer services.
Killebrew, 81, said he has talked with city representatives seven times about the problem. He said two city workers looked at the situation and still nothing has been done.
He said Alderman J.D. Brasel Jr. told him the city simply needs to cut the line.
Itta Bena Mayor Thelma Collins said she’s aware that there is “an old dead line” that runs down the length of Schley Street to U.S. 82.
“I’m in the process of trying to get an idea where that line is,” she said.
Collins said she’s been facing a number of problems in the town, from crumbling water and sewer lines to issues with city equipment.
The mayor said she’s working on getting engineers to come out and assess the water line problem.
Unfortunately, “we have to deal with these problems as they come,” Collins said.
