Sewage disaster leaves over 700 gallons of human feces in Kingston woman’s home
Save Email Print
Posted: 2:09 PM Jun 16, 2008
Sewage disaster leaves over 700 gallons of human feces in Kingston woman’s home
KINGSTON, OK -- A Kingston woman came home earlier this week to see personal belongings buried in inches of raw sewage. It sounds like a bizarre nightmare, but that scenario is a sickening reality for one Marshall County woman.
Reporter: Robin Beal
Email Address: robin.beal@kxii.com
Font Size:

KINGSTON, Okla. -- A Kingston woman came home earlier this week to see personal belongings buried in inches of raw sewage. It sounds like a bizarre nightmare, but that scenario is a sickening reality for one Marshall County woman.

It is something you really have to see to believe. The stench coming from the home of Tonya Riley in Kingston is almost unbearable, even from several feet away.

Riley says she came home from work on Tuesday and knew something was terribly wrong before she even got inside. What she saw oozing down her hallway was inches of raw human waste.

Experts say it is the result of an apparent city sewer blockage.

"This was completely flooded with feces and water and pee, and of course I smelled it. When I came in and I called the city guys and it’s estimated at 786.24 gallons of human feces got backed up into my house," Riley says.

Ms. Riley is single and lives alone. Of course, she cannot live in her home now. She says her trailer has been condemned because there is no way to completely clean up the mess. City crews vacuumed away the worst of it, but it is likely inside the walls and floor ducts.

So how could this happen?

Nobody at Kingston City Hall would talk to us. The mayor would only say it’s still under investigation and public works officials never returned our calls.

Tonya’s homeowners insurance won’t cover sewage damage. Her agent wouldn't even sit down with us for an interview, but did have a tidbit of advice as we were leaving.

"Everybody should check their policies."

A local plumber say's he has seen this before only twice in 19 years, and while they are not required, he says a $45 attachment may have made all the difference.

"If you're installing a new house or something, there ought to be provisions, a backflow preventer to keep that from happening."

Tonya didn't have one on her home, but says the house next door does. It was installed after the same thing happened to her neighbors a few years back.

Tonya is now staying with her mom and has no idea what will become of her house. A hammock out back is the only thing that hasn't been tainted by the smell.


Doppler 12 Live
AP Video on KXII
In The Community
Volunteers needed to read to Denison kids

Last Updated: 2:59 PM 03/09/10 - DENISON, TX--It's Texas Public School week and Denison I-S-D needs volunteer readers As soon as possible for this week's Star Reader Program. On Tuesday, (Full Story)
Tom Bean police officer honored for heroism

Last Updated: 5:59 PM 03/08/10 - TOM BEAN, TX - Tom Bean Police Officer Larry Rittenhouse was named the Hero of the Year at the city council meeting Monday night in Tom Bean. (Full Story)
Free monthly health screenings make Texoma healthier place

Last Updated: 6:46 PM 03/04/10 - DENISON, TX - Finding out you have a disease like diabetes can be life-changing. But a simple test could let you know if you're at risk and even prevent you from developing the disease. That's the idea behind Thursday’s free screenings at TMC. (Full Story)
Fannin County 4-H Fashion Show and Tea

Last Updated: 7:11 AM 03/02/10 - Fannin County 4-H is gearing up for their fashion show and tea. They are raising money for a good cause. (Full Story)
St. Mary's Catholic School Casino Night
Last Updated: 7:15 AM 02/25/10 - It is time for St. Mary's Catholic School's Casino Night. It's a big fundraiser for the school and they need your help to meet their goal of $80,000 this year. (Full Story)
More Headlines