Nearly 40 members of the Valley Grande community gathered at Northside Baptist Church Tuesday evening to address their grievances concerning residential sewage problems.

Residents of Overlook Hills housing complex, which has been in existence since the early 1960s, gathered at Tuesday’s meeting to sign a petition in hopes of putting pressure on the Valley Grande City Council to retrieve funds from the state to fix the sewage problems that have been ongoing.

Many of the residents currently pay nearly $28 dollars for their sewage, and if the community cannot get the funding to fix sewage backups, residents may have to pay $45 or more on their bills.

Chris W. Matthews, board member of the Selma-based Phoenix Water Resources LLC, which is a nonprofit waste water company working with the area’s existing Lagoon water system to help sewage meet Alabama Department of Environmental Management and Environmental Protection Agency standards, said the ADEM and EPA have gotten stricter on their requirements.

“Over time, the sewer system in the area has gone downhill,” Matthews said. “We’re trying to correct the system and improve it and talk about what needs to be done and what’s possible to be done.”

Matthews said the Alabama Legislature can offer the city $250,000 for waste management infrastructure, if the city requests it before the end of September. However, if the city does not request the funds, the money will return to the government, and the city may have to borrow funds, which may increase residents’ current sewage bills.

“The money must be spent to make improvements on the system, and it’s appropriate for the city to request these funds,” Matthews said. “We’ve been working with the mayor and his council to keep them informed about the problem, and it’s been my understanding that they have not yet made a decision.”

Many residents are confused, angered and concerned about the dilemma.

“There are 100 homes in Overlook and the health of the residents is the most important,” said community resident Pauline Bryant, who also created the petitions.

“I’m concerned about the 100 families affected,” said Pat Phillips. “I’m afraid we’re going to be left out, not get the funds, and that they’ll go somewhere else.”

Alberta Smith, a resident for the past five years, said she has had sewage issues for two years. Since the meeting, Smith said a lot of her questions have been answered.

“I feel better informed as to why the system has gotten bad,” Smith said. “I’m disappointed to hear the city hasn’t applied for the money — it bugs me. I think it would be unrealistic to think Overlook would get all of the funds, but if we could get half, then it would be a positive.”

Valley Grande Mayor Tom Lee disagrees with Matthews and said the council has discussed the sewer issue and has been in talks with ADEM officials about what the proper and legal moves for the city should be. The state’s public funds, Lee said, cannot be used for private companies such as Phoenix.

“Those state funds are earmarked for waste water improvement for the city of Valley Grande, and we’ve been in the process of putting together a plan to make sure funds get into the hands of local government and funds are used for the public at large,” Lee said. “I’m trying to get all of the facts and details together for the council.

“We can’t make direct donations to private companies and release funds to a private entity we have no control over,” Lee said. “A private organization cannot receive pvublic funds. There are several legal things we’re trying to go through to minimize risks. We want to help Overlook Hills, but do so in a legal way.”

Matthews said if all goes well and there is a high demand for services, Phoenix plans to expand its services to draw other customers and make rates lower for everyone. Matthews said he’s looking to spend between $200,000 — $250,000 on the project.

“We want to take care of everyone’s needs and improve the water quality for Overlook Hills,” Matthews said. “To help the issue, it would be more beneficial to build a 50-by-60 foot small treatment plant.”

Matthews encouraged residents to bring their concerns before the city council.

“Whatever your opinion is, it’s important as a community to let your council members know about the issue,” Matthews said.

Bryant said she is hoping to get more than 100 signatures from the Overlook housing community and present it before the city council at its next meeting scheduled for July 5.