Residents of the Brightwood Park neighborhood in the District say they're sick of smelling raw sewage.
For several months, the unavoidable smell has plagued the 800 block of Kennedy Street NW.
The smell appears to originate from a recently demolished home. Some business owners in the area say it's gotten so bad, the smell is now scaring off customers. Others say they're worried about health risks.
"Neighbors walk through it not knowing what it is. Kids are walking by. It's going to be warm soon and people will be wearing flip flops," said Rashid Darden who lives across the street. "There are all types of public health issues related to raw sewage that we don't even hear about anymore because of modernized sewage systems."
New System Demolition and Excavation, the company that demolished the building, said the property owners are responsible for fixing the problem. It said the owners didn't pay them the full amount, so the city needs to hold a bidding process to get contractors to complete the work.
Darden said despite persistent complaints, "no one gives us an answer, a timeline or anything."
The Prince of Petworth blog published a reader's e-mail about the matter asking for help.
"The unmistakable smell of sewage can be smelled all the way to 9th and Kennedy. While Council-member Bowser’s office has been helpful in trying to pressure the city to rectify this problem, it has gone on for far too long. Exposure to raw sewage has health risks that the city has not addressed with so much as a sign. I witness children and adults walk through this spill every day, not knowing what it is."
