PAW PAW, Mich. (WWMT) – A Michigan homeowner is struggling with sewage overflow and dealing with a backup nightmare that started in May 2021.

“I really honestly thought it was kids putting too much paper in the toilet,” homeowner Yvonne Porter said.

Porter said a solution to the problem could cost her over $30,000.

The problem was a collapse in her sewer lateral that happened one year ago. She said only one person in the home can shower every day, and she's not able to cook, wash dishes or do laundry to prevent sewage overflow.

“It can get quite nasty sometimes, it’s not pretty, I end up washing dishes in the bathtub,” Porter said. “We’re not able to use the bathroom at pleasure like other people.”

The collapse was seven feet off the curb of her home.

In search for answers, WWMT contacted Paw Paw Village Manager, William Joseph. Joseph said M-40 was a state-owned highway and required permits, traffic control and an M-DOT certified contractor to do the work.

“These requirements drive the price up to replace her lateral, significantly,” Joseph said in an email.

Porter said she believed it was neither right or fair that the cost fall on homeowners because her lateral collapse was on the road.

“It’s a commercial kind of job, I don’t live off of a side street and they’re talking big money,” Porter said. “The price starting at around $30,000, and no one can pay that.”

Joseph said according to village ordinance, property owners were responsible for sewer lateral repairs.

“This ordinance language is common and found in many municipalities,” he said in the email. “The sewer lateral connects the indoor plumbing to the sewer main. The sewer main is the responsibility of the village.”

Porter said she’d lived at her home for five years and remained hopeful she could negotiate a solution.

“My message to the village manager and even M-DOT is that there needs to be put some more thought into this,” Porter said. “There needs to be some changes put on paperwork.”

A spokesperson for M-DOT said in an email that its involvement in Porter’s case was limited.

“Only to issuing a permit to work in our right of way to repair or replace the sewer line,” Nick Schirripa said.

Porter said she had no plans on moving out.

“I really, really am happy here, despite everything that’s taking place,” she said. “There’s got to be help out here.”

Joseph said replacing sewer laterals can be an inevitable repair for homeowners.

“Similar to replacing a roof or furnace,” Joseph said. “Sewer laterals, especially older clay laterals can fail for a variety of reasons including age, soil shifting and tree roots. This is a common problem although a homeowner may only deal with this once in 20 years or more.”

He said he’s been working with Porter to inspect the main near her home, provide documentation to help her find funding and connect her with contractors.