Sewage spreads in the yards of Malden residents

MALDEN, Mo. (KBSI) – People in Dunklin County say something smells fishy or worse sewage issues in people’s houses and yards.

Allen Robertson has been living in Malden for years and he says he has never dealt with a situation like this before. 

“We’ve got people out here that can’t even live. it’s starting to move out into the campers because they can’t live in their house. We’ve got people that have small children out here and we’ve got all kinds of elderly and they’re having to breathe this stuff. It’s just nothing but a health hazard.”

Robertson has been taking this issue to light by spreading the word on social media and reaching out to several local officials. 

“I mean so many people, 80% of us already haven’t paid our sewer bill and we’re not going to until we get a solution to this problem. I mean, we pay $90 a month. It’s just ridiculous that we can’t use it when we need to use our facilities, and everybody is just getting fed up with it.”

Malden Mayor Denton Kooyman saus he has contacted several agencies to try and resolve this issue, but he has never heard from Robertson personally. 

“I would like to state that every agency has been very good to us and very responsive,” said Mayor Kooyman. “There is not no one person that has not answered my phone calls. To Mr. Robertson’s side of it, I think what he is doing is putting a good light on the matter to spread the word to these agencies but some of the things he’s doing is hurting it too. He’s made several comments that he has reached out to talk to me. He has not once reached out to City Hall to talk to me.”

Mayor Kooyman stresses to the public that he understands the residents are frustrated and he would be as well. He ensures he is doing everything in his power, but they are simply waiting on funding decisions from the court. 

“We’re trying, and everybody seems to be on hold for this court date coming up,” said Mayor Kooyman. “The pressure is going to be on the court of all of these agencies. Don’t want to give us any more information or talk to us about funding until they see the court with it.”

The mayor uploaded two statements on the City of Malden’s website regarding this issue and will continue to upload any updates.