Raw sewage dumped into bayous

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- An ongoing problem left over by Hurricane Ike is the leaking of raw sewage into the city's bayous. The hurricane caused most of the city's sewage treatment plants to lose power. Most of those are back up and running but for some it's still an issue.

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In downtown Houston along Buffalo Bayou at Allen's Landing is where you see the sewage problem. Ever since the hurricane, a number of the city's waste water treatment plants went without power. As a result, the city was forced to actually dump raw sewage straight into the bayous.

First of all, it smells awful. There have also been some oil slicks along the waterways. And you can't miss the dead fish.

The City of Houston is aware of the problem, and officials are working diligently with CenterPoint to try to get all the plants back up and running and remedy this major issue.

"Some of our lift stations don't have the power to pump the sewage into the plants," explained Alvin Wright with the City of Houston. "We've been working with CenterPoint to get those issues addressed, as well as bringing in generators to help us to pump some of the sewage to the plant to get it treated."

The City of Houston is not alone when it comes to the sewage problems. In fact, any community that has a waste water treatment plant that went without power during Hurricane Ike could have similar issues. The city recommends you stay out of the waters and make sure your kids do the same.

There are 39 wastewater treatment plants in the city of Houston. So far, 31 are back up and running, and treating sewage.

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