8
Haz-mat worker called to house flooded with sewage and cleanup goes horribly wrong

"Not a janitor but biohazard clean up.

Got a call from real estate agent about a bad smell in a listing. When we got there owner met us, said windows and doors were sticking. We began the inspection I opened the door to the basement stairs and was hit by the smell in concentrated form. I shined my flashlight and the top step was under 'water' (sewage actually). The entire basement was flooded with 10 feet of raw sewage. This was not the worst part.


The city came and opened a manhole for us. At this time I'm standing 15 feet away telling the property owner procedure and payment. Gas powered pump is placed, bell dropped in basement, and discharge hose placed in manhole. I'm not wearing PPE at this time. Pump is started. I continue to talk, guy is standing over manhole in PPE watching the hose. After about five minutes guy walks a few feet to back of van and the hose decides to dance. Four inch wide discharge hose is now out of the manhole spraying raw sewage 20+ feet up in the air. It was nothing but asses and elbows. I outran the homeowner.


Fire department had to come and wash the street along with several parked cars."