LIBERTY — The owner of a septic tank pumping service is continuing his search for an Amite County site to dump the sewage he collects from county residents.
Steve Melton, an Amite County resident and owner of Melton Septic Pumping Service of Summit, said Friday afternoon that Gloster Mayor Billy Johnson refused to allow him to dump waste in Gloster’s lagoon.
Melton’s company pumps out septic tanks in Pike, Amite and neighboring counties. He told the Amite County Board of Supervisors Friday that he has no place in the county to dump the waste from tanks he pumps in the county.
Supervisor Jackie Whittington had suggested Gloster’s lagoon as a possible solution to Melton’s dilemma at the board’s Friday morning meeting.
Melton said Friday afternoon that Whittington talked with Johnson and Gary Sterling, who operates the Liberty and Gloster lagoons. Melton said Johnson later told him that the city would not accept the septic tank waste.
At the board meeting, Melton told supervisors that Pike County allows him to use its Fernwood lagoon to dump septic tank waste, “but from Pike County citizens only,” and requires him to produce a log showing the Pike County homes he serviced.
“There are areas in Amite County that I service, but (there is) no place to dump in Amite County,” Melton said.
“We’re in a mess right now, but we don’t have any place to go,” he said. “When somebody calls and says their sewer is backing up and it’s getting into their carpet, they don’t care where it’s dumped; they want help.”
Liberty Mayor Ricky Stratton, who was at the board meeting, said he refused to let Melton use the town’s lagoon because it is being recertified.
“We’re trying to keep our lagoon in compliance (with the state Department of Environmental Quality) now,” Stratton said.
“(And) I don’t know what you’re bringing me.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t take those chances while I’m being recertified,” he said. “My lagoon is the most expensive thing I have operating (in the town) right now.”
Stratton said the city will spend $25,000 to $30,000 to install a new flow system in the lagoon. He added the lagoon also has a layer of sludge that must be removed to make it more efficient.
Melton claimed the septic waste is safe, and he is required by state law to keep a log of the homes he has serviced.
“I’m not against what he’s doing,” Stratton said. “If I could, I’d let him dump right now, but my engineer says ‘don’t do it,’ and I’m not going to.”
