Prominent Yakima developer investigated for illegal sewer connections
»Play Video
YAKIMA, Wash. -- A well-known community developer is under investigation by the City of Yakima, after wastewater employees discovered what they call 10 illegal connections to the city's sewer lines, during routine maintenance work.
Crews say those connections didn't meet code and could have been dangerous to your health.
"There's a huge gap right here," said Yakima Wastewater Manager Scott Schafer, pointing to a piece of damaged pipe. "To us, that's a health concern because sewage could have been flowing out of that, had it been activated. Which could have contaminated ground water."
The discovery was made underground on property, near 13th Street and Nob Hill Boulevard, where developer Lemon Rentals plans to build multiple duplexes.
Yakima says all the paperwork is in line for one of the buildings, but the sewage lines were improperly installed.
The wastewater departments says it was serious enough to remove a section of the city's pipes.
To get all sides, KIMA contacted the developer, Doug Lemon, who met us at the site.
Lemon says he added the nine connections to get ready for new buildings. And, that's how he's done it at dozens of his properties throughout Yakima.
The lines were not connected to flowing sewage.
Lemon feels he's being targeted for his own complaints he brought to city council about the wastewater department.
"I've been reporting for some time that the city wastewater has been, more or less, goofing off, out at different places, going home during the day," said Lemon Rentals Owner Doug Lemon.
KIMA asked Yakima Wastewater Manager Scott Schafer, "Do you see any truth to this?"
"No, pictures are worth a thousand words. And, we found damage to our system," Schafer said.
Yakima City Attorney Jeff Cutter said no criminal charges will be filed.
Lemon will likely be asked to pay for the repairs.
Shattered pieces of pipe are all that remain as the city continues its investigation.
The property owner said new pipes will have to be laid before construction moves forward. Yakima crews replaced a section of questionable pipe last week.
The wastewater department says the investigation will likely wrap up in a few weeks. Yakima will try to determine if anyone else was involved.
Crews say those connections didn't meet code and could have been dangerous to your health.
"There's a huge gap right here," said Yakima Wastewater Manager Scott Schafer, pointing to a piece of damaged pipe. "To us, that's a health concern because sewage could have been flowing out of that, had it been activated. Which could have contaminated ground water."
The discovery was made underground on property, near 13th Street and Nob Hill Boulevard, where developer Lemon Rentals plans to build multiple duplexes.
Yakima says all the paperwork is in line for one of the buildings, but the sewage lines were improperly installed.
The wastewater departments says it was serious enough to remove a section of the city's pipes.
To get all sides, KIMA contacted the developer, Doug Lemon, who met us at the site.
Lemon says he added the nine connections to get ready for new buildings. And, that's how he's done it at dozens of his properties throughout Yakima.
The lines were not connected to flowing sewage.
Lemon feels he's being targeted for his own complaints he brought to city council about the wastewater department.
"I've been reporting for some time that the city wastewater has been, more or less, goofing off, out at different places, going home during the day," said Lemon Rentals Owner Doug Lemon.
KIMA asked Yakima Wastewater Manager Scott Schafer, "Do you see any truth to this?"
"No, pictures are worth a thousand words. And, we found damage to our system," Schafer said.
Yakima City Attorney Jeff Cutter said no criminal charges will be filed.
Lemon will likely be asked to pay for the repairs.
Shattered pieces of pipe are all that remain as the city continues its investigation.
The property owner said new pipes will have to be laid before construction moves forward. Yakima crews replaced a section of questionable pipe last week.
The wastewater department says the investigation will likely wrap up in a few weeks. Yakima will try to determine if anyone else was involved.
