A Lake Isabella couple is up to their nose in sewage smell because a septic pumping company transfers raw sewage right next to their back yard.
The Kern County Public Health Services Department said this company has been given a notice before for illegal sewage transfer but they have not investigated whether or not this transfer site is legal.
According to Kern County Public Health officials, as long as this company has the proper permits they can transfer and store raw sewage on the property that's zoned commercial, even though it's near homes.
But a Lake Isabella family is skeptical of its neighbor and they want this company investigated.
"It's like somebody dumped a bunch of sewage in your house," said David Young of Lake Isabella.
How would you like to live here? Three hundred and fifty feet away from where Rossback and Sons Pumping Company, transfers raw sewage daily.
"It's gross," said Debbie Young. "I don't think anybody else would want it outside their bedroom window. I don't want it out my bedroom window. I don't want to see it. I don't want to smell it. I don't want to hear it."
This is where David and Debbie Young have lived since December and they say the stench is unbearable.
"It's horrible. It makes me sick to my stomach and I go outside and throw up or into the bathroom and throw up because it's nauseating," said David Young.
It is especially bad for David who just had a bone marrow stem cell transplant one year ago.
"He has a hard time eating now and since they started this, everytime they start their pumping he gets sick," said Debbie Young.
17 News contacted Rossback and Sons Septic but they would not speak on camera. They claim they are up to code because they do not transfer sewage on residential property.
The Kern County Environmental Health Department said it has not looked into this specific situation but department officials say two weeks ago they issued a notice to Rossback and Sons Septic for the illegal transfer and storage of sewage at another residence.
Following our investigation, Kern County officials say they plan to look into this transfer site as well. That's good news for the Young's who are sick and tired of the stink.
"I don't want them to completely shut down their business but I don't think there's anyone in the world who would like this outside their bedroom window," said Debbie Young.
According to county environmental health officials, Rossback and Sons Septic will stop operations at this location at end of the month when they are sold.
Until then the owner of the property that Rossback and Sons Septic uses said they will have the sewage transfers take place farther away from the homes.
