WELLSBURG — The Brooke County Public Service District board heard complaints Wednesday from Beech Bottom residents who have experienced sewer problems since the storm that knocked out power for the district’s facilities and many others on April 29.

Vicki Hunter told the board’s members since then she’s had sewage back up into her basement multiple times and isn’t able to shower or wash her laundry without it causing her basement to flood.

She questioned why crews with the district seem focused on smoke testing lines for leaks.

Terry Bonaventura, the board’s president, said vacuum trucks have been dispatched to address backups from the failing vacuum-based sewer lines. He confirmed the smoke tests help crews to identify leaks in the lines and the source of water building up in them.

Bonaventura said downspouts tied into the sewer lines allow rainwater to enter the sewer system and can cause it to be overtaxed during long spates of rain, which is why they have been declared illegal in many places.

Board members told Hunter and others the district is short-staffed, and an independent contractor has been hired to locate and replace failed valves in the lines.

But they said they’ve had difficulty finding vacuum trucks, with many involved in oil and gas operations, but they would try to dispatch one every day until the system is repaired.

Hunter asked if a sump pump with a temporary holding tank could be installed until that occurs.

Randy Watson of Thrasher Engineering, the district’s engineering consultant, said it would depend on the elevation of the home.

Hunter said residents of homes above her and not affected by the sewer issues have resumed their usual water usage, exacerbating the problem for her.

The board agreed to issue a water conservation order for homes in the areas of First and Second streets and Alleys B and G.

Resident Kerry Goto said she works and it’s difficult for her to be home when the vacuum trucks come. She asked for more communication from the board so residents know that and other measures they are taking to correct the problems.

“We understand you’re working hard, but we’re the homeowners. We might incur damages,” she said.

Board member Bill Liposchak said district staff will use its automated calling system to notify residents of the vacuum trucks’ arrival as much as possible.

Another resident said she’s invested in a lot of cleaning supplies to disinfect her basement and keep it free of mold.

She complained of odor from both the sewage and bleach used as a disinfectant and raised concerns about their impact on a spouse with respiratory problems.

Christopher Scheetz, the district’s attorney, told the residents they may submit a form detailing their expenses for an insurance claim to be filed by the board.

The residents were encouraged to take photos and keep receipts to support their reported expenses.

Liposchak said it’s taken time for the board to locate and obtain the materials it needs, including a $20,000 pump that’s being shipped to the district.

Board member Archie Doll said ultimately, the vacuum system should be replaced with a gravity-fed system but that could cost $4 million.

Watson said $4.2 million was the initial estimate for the move, but he’s learned some of the village’s sewer lines already are gravity-fed so that figure may be pared down.

Board members said they have reached out to state legislators and the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission to aid them in seeking state and federal money for that but have been warned funding is very limited at this time.

Watson said he will be visiting the area Thursday to determine what can be done immediately.

Liposchak told the residents, “I know it’s frustrating for you. It’s also frustrating for us because we’re trying. I’ve done everything I know to do.”

Following the meeting, Bonaventura said the district has called on outside resources, including independent electricians who replaced a motor that was burnt out during the storm and a Wellsburg city employee who has been helping to search for leaks.

He said the West Virginia Public Service Commission, which has jurisdiction over the district, has agreed to send an engineer, but that person is occupied with an issue elsewhere.