‘It’s just nasty’: Apartment tenants fed up with septic tank overflows

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Tenants of the Dillehay Court Apartments in north Charlotte are dealing with a toxic situation in their front yard.

The septic tank overflows and the contents spill out onto the sidewalk, where Channel 9 saw children’s bicycles and hanging laundry.

Reporter Anthony Kustura spoke with residents who told him the overflows are an ongoing issue and have been for years.

No one Anthony talked to wanted to be identified because they are afraid of repercussions from the Charlotte Housing Authority, which oversees the property.

They also said they are downright embarrassed.

“It’s just nasty -- period, point-blank. It’s just nasty,” one frustrated neighbor said.

Residents said the problem is terrible all year, but it’s particularly bad when the area sees a large amount of rain and the possibility of flooding.

“Get it fixed, I’m done, that’s all,” one resident said. “Something needs to be done about it.”

Channel 9 reached out to the Charlotte Housing Authority for answers about the problem. It acknowledged it’s aware of the problem and is working to fix a broken pipe, but also said there is no previous history of pipe problems at the complex.

The Housing Authority also hired a private plumbing company to look into the issue further and is waiting for results from additional tests to see what other action can be taken.