MIAMI – From Saleem Anthony’s window he can see raw sewage right behind his apartment.
The city turned off the water to the Pierce House Apartments at 2 p.m. because of the sewage problem. That means everyone in the building has to move out – including Saleem, his partner and his dog Sadie.
“What’s your plan now?” CBS News Miami’s Ted Scouten asked. “To pray. I don’t have the money to do anything else,” Saleem said.
According to the city, the problem stems from the lift station for the building’s septic system. It’s not working. Inspectors found pooled sewage behind the building and in a courtyard where kids play.
“Our inspectors came out to the neighborhood and they saw raw sewage dumping out of the property, into the alley and into the storm drain system,” said Hollywood Spokesperson Joann Hussey.
The city says they and the health department have been trying to work with the owners for several years to fix the problems .