Yes, dirty movies -- at Christiansburg's Town Council Meeting on Tuesday.
The town has no microphones for council members and doesn't record or broadcast public meetings, but some residents who were severely impacted by raw sewage flooding their homes, 8 to 10 inches above the level of a commode seat, shooting a foot or more into the air -- they brought technology into council chambers. This included graphic photographs of sewage backups and "urban flooding" dating back to 2006 and from recent rain, plus video tapes of sewage backup they stated had occured after "improvements" were made by the town.
Rain, you'll remember, is a common and natural event. Why does this impact sewer service in Christiansburg?
Council had no words for what they basically have allowed to occur over time, and segued right into approving even more development. Two properties were seeking further subdivision, yet no questions from council on when these properties were rezoned, what traffic patterns or impacts might be anticipated, what the soil composition in the area consisted of, and no questions about topography. Not even questions about whether adjacent properties had been impacted by recent rains, or what the existing water and sewer capacities in the area provide.
No words for how these issues will be addressed or prevented going forward, either.
There were no words to describe the damage from sewage invading homes. There are no words to explain why adding 6 to 8 feet of concrete to a sewer line, and which now show evidence of already experiencing more overflow staining the new construction. There was no explanation for why a "T" connection was allowed, instead of VDOTs recommended "Y" (which provides for better merging of two sources of waste to continue in a constant flow).
Don't worry, home owners and future buyers. Everything conforms with the Town's zoning, subdivision, erosion and sediment control, and stormwater management requirements.