PSL subdivision construction shut down after damage to sewer

By CHRIS YOUNG
City officials have shut down construction on the Newport Isles subdivision after the determining the sewer system serving the entire development has been "infiltrated" by sand and debris because of building work.

"The magnitude of damage and destruction has assuredly placed the health, safety, and welfare of our current and future Newport Isles customers at risk and it must be immediately addressed," Utility Systems Director Jesus Merejo wrote in a memo last week.

Utility Systems spokeswoman Donna Rhoden said with so many vehicles and construction activity in the area, workers could have driven over parts of the water and sewer system.
As a result, the city building department won't issue any more permits or certificates of occupancy to the home builders, Lennar and Centex Homes, until they fix the damage, city officials said.

Lennar and Centex officials did not return a call for comment Monday.

Already, more than 500 homes have been built in Newport Isles.

The sewer system has to be inspected to find the extent of the damage and then cleaned, but City Manager Don Cooper said the debris will cause problems for the utility system regardless.
"You can never get all the sand out," he said.