Lexington has found a permanent solution for a downtown sewage issue that has necessitated a truck to be on site pumping 24/7 for almost a year.

The town announced Feb. 27 that it has secured the final property easement needed to place new sewer lines after years of negotiation. The property the town had to acquire is located at 121 E Main St. and 127 E Main St. 

“I'm thrilled that we've reached a resolution with all parties involved,” Council Member Gavin Smith told the Chronicle. “I'm very proud of the work that our staff has done to bring a resolution to this ongoing issue downtown. I'm excited to see the work begin and a permanent solution delivered to downtown businesses in the town of Lexington.”

Smith said town staff is working diligently to ensure that there aren’t other areas of town that may face a similar issue.

The town has maintained an emergency ordinance since September of last year, having extended the ordinance in November of last year and January of this year. Through that ordinance, the town will now hire a contractor who will coordinate with property owners and tenants on how best to approach the coming construction.

Laurin Barnes, communications manager for the town, told The Chronicle that they hope to have a contractor identified within the coming week, so the schedule of the project will be determined by the contractor's availability.

The release adds that the town will seek to minimize disruption to businesses, including providing reserved parking on town property as needed.

To deal with the isolated sewer line failure town has had sewage trucks parked in the lot behind O’Hara’s Public House and the law firm McWhirter, Bellinger & Associates since March 29. The truck has to be manned 24/7 to pump and haul the sewage away from the area.

According to Barnes, the town does not have the cost associated with the truck or the total hours the truck was utilized.

The line that failed dates back to 1925 and is unable to be repaired or replaced because it is located under a building.

“The issue is isolated and it is because of the age of that particular sewer line combined with the fact it can’t be repaired/replaced because it is located underneath a building,” Barnes previously told the Chronicle. “The only option is to reroute the line and divert flow which requires an easement and the town has been working to acquire that easement prior to the current failure.”

According to the release, the town has been aware for decades that an issue like this could occur, adding that for years prior to the failure, Lexington has worked to gain the necessary easement from property owners so that the line can be relocated.

“We appreciate everyone’s patience as we have worked diligently to get this matter resolved,” Mayor Hazel Livingston said. “We look forward to getting this project underway so the permanent solution is in place as quickly and seamlessly as possible.”

This is a developing story and will continue to be updated.