Newly elected councilwomen for Ward 8, Janie Venter, was on hand Wednesday morning along with Mayor James Perkins, for an inspection of the sewage system construction site in East Selma.

As announced last month, residents of Ward 8 are receiving much needed improvements to the sewer lines in some neighborhoods thanks to a $500,000 grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA).

Construction began last Monday in East Selma on several streets that have been dealing with sewage and water problems for over two decades.

“This is long overdue,” said Venter. “This was one of the main issues I bought up when I first ran for city council back in 1988.”

Venter said the problem is so bad that drivers can’t get through the streets in those neighborhoods when it rains because of flooding.

According to Ray Hogg, president of Hogg Engineering Co., the improvements will include burying sewage pipes that run above the ground and replacing underground pipes that are too small, brittle, and very old.

“Some of these pipes are over 100 years old,” said Hogg. “And when those pipes (above ground) get stopped up the commodes don’t flush and the residents come out and pull the pipes apart.”

Hogg said doing this causes raw sewage to flow above the ground.

“It’s not safe or sanitary, that’s why we’re doing this work.”

Foreman, Johnny Holly said although the job is tedious he expects to be finished in about three to four months.

“We have to be really careful because some of the water lines are really old too, and we can break them just digging around,” said Holly.

The Mayor seemed pleased with the progress of the project so far.

“I know what we are doing will be better than it was,” said Perkins. “but I won’t be satisfied until it’s right.”

One person who is satisfied is long time Ward 8 resident Velma Jackson.

“I am glad, I am so happy they are doing this work,” said Jackson. “This sewer problem has cost me a lot of problems and money.”

Venter was also pleased with the work being done in her ward.

“I can’t take credit for this,” she said, “but this is just the beginning of what I have planned.”