Sewage overflowed from a manhole cover in Kettleman City late last week, soaking a small land area on the outskirts of town, a Kings County Health Department official has indicated. The Sentinel received the information Tuesday morning.

The mishap occurred at approximately 6 p.m. Friday, when grease blockage in a sewer line resulted in the release of 1,000 to 2,000 gallons of sewage into ground next to a cotton field, said Tito Balling, owner of California Water Services.

The company contracts with the Kettleman City Community Services District to provide water and sewage services to the unincorporated area.

The manhole was located at the northeast corner of Milham Road and Carter Street in Kettleman City.

The nearest residence was approximately 100 feet away "in the opposite direction" of the overflow, Balling said.

Balling said the blockage was removed "within the hour" and the affected ground was sprayed with chlorine solution and covered with dirt.

Residents weren't harmed, said Rosa Maldonado, office manager for the Kettleman City Community Services District.

Lack of grease traps and grease being dumped down drains have been a problem in Kettleman City, said Alicia Jacobo, chairperson pro tem of the services district.

Jacobo said the district adopted a rule last week that all venues handling food must have a grease trap and must have their grease regularly picked up.

Jacobo said that staff would be going to each establishment looking for proof of compliance.

"Hopefully, it's not going to continue to be a problem," Jacobo said.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2432

(Sept. 4, 2008)