FERRIDAY — The question of who is responsible for sewer issues in a Concordia Parish subdivision got more complicated Tuesday evening when Town of Ferriday officials clarified they aren’t the ones to fix the situation.

Sewage has been backing up for months into the houses and yards of residents who live in the Washington Heights subdivision, which is located in between Ferriday and Clayton.

Members of the subdivision have been in contact with several parish and state agencies, which resulted in the State of Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Office of Public Health sending a letter to Ferriday Mayor Gene Allen.

The letter stated the town had to clean and prevent raw sewage discharge, including making repairs to prevent sewage from leaking any further.

Allen addressed the issue Tuesday at the town’s Board of Aldermen meeting saying he replied to the letter informing the agency that the town was not responsible for that subdivision.

“We don’t have any jurisdiction on Washington Heights,” Allen said. “It’s in the parish, not within the city limits.

“We’re not responsible for anything outside of the city limits.”

Allen said the town does provide water for the subdivision, but not sewage services.

Vernon Smith, who lives in the subdivision, addressed the mayor and board saying the issue should be one the entire town needs to be involved in fixing.

“When you have waste in the backyard, I think it’s all of our concern,” Smith said. “Diseases do spread.”

Allen said any further comments regarding the sewage issues should be made to the Concordia Parish Police Jury.

“The police jury is responsible to make sure you are safe and sound,” Allen said.

Smith addressed the jury last month and found the original developer of the subdivision, Kenneth Hudnall, still owned the sewer lines and an oxidation pond where all the lines empty into.

Board members told Smith there was little they could do because the lines were privately owned and they believed Hudnall was unable to be located.

Smith said Tuesday she’s remained in contact with state agencies who are working to track down Hudnall and his family to find a solution to the sewage issues.