PONDERAY — Residents in Ponderay are voicing concern over the S & W Motel sewer leaking and blocked up, causing for a smell and health concerns.

Erik Brubaker, Ponderay city planner, said the city does have an interest in protecting public health, and they follow the state requirements for the air and water systems. Brubaker said the problem was brought to his attention by Ethel Carter, who has property behind the motel.

The leak is coming from a shed about four feet from her property line, she said. She doesn’t want to open her living room window because the smell is too strong, she said.

“It’s toilet paper and poop and whatever else you want,” Carter said.

S & W Motel Manager Ginger Horvath said they are aware of a couple of problems in their sewer system, and they are working on a fix.

“We are definitely focused on fixing the plumbing,” Horvath said.

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