The open sewer shafts were then stuffed with gym shoes, concrete blocks, pieces of blacktop and parts of a wooden fence, Trenton police Chief Tim Traud said Friday, July 2.
The problem was first discovered Tuesday by city maintenance workers, said Sgt. Michael Gillen.
“I believe it was only three or four of the round manhole covers,” Gillen said. “There was a large amount of garbage stuffed down into the sewers.”
Gillen said the debris might have been in the sewers for several weeks, according to residents who were affected by the problem.
“A resident, while they were out cleaning up, said something to the city that it had been like that for several weeks,” he said.
The blockage could have created an unhealthy living environment for residences in the Trenton Road, Edgewood Drive and Villa Court areas had it not been discovered, the city said.
Police said the damage to the sewer system cost about $5,900 and took 11 man hours to clear the blockage. An outside contractor was also brought in to help address the problem, the city said.
Gillen said police have no leads on suspects.
“We’ve contacted all of the scrap yards,” Gillen said. “They informed us they don’t take anything like that due to this problem.
Anyone with information about the theft of the sewer lids should call the police department at (513) 988-6341 or the Public Works Department at (513) 988-6304, ext. 157.