Sewage in Muncie apartment traced to upper units; board orders asbestos check before release

Kayla Payne, property manager for Blue Sky Property Management, told the Unsafe Building Hearing Authority on March 12 that sewage had leaked into Apartment 15 at 9100 South College Avenue because upper units flushed inappropriate items. "It was a result of the upper units flushing a combination of items, high feminine hygiene products, like wipes, and we even pulled some dish towels out of there," Payne said, showing before-and-after photos and invoices for repairs.

Payne said the necessary plumbing repairs were complete and submitted photographic evidence and invoices to staff. Members of the hearing authority asked for verification from the building commissioner after one member pointed to what looked like wrapped material on a soil pipe in the earlier photos. "On one of the soil pipes… it appears to be asbestos," the member said, asking whether remediation had occurred and requesting confirmation of both the repair scope and the removal or abatement of any asbestos-containing material.

Given the potential health implications, the authority affirmed the rehabilitation order and released the property contingent on a satisfactory building-commissioner inspection and asbestos abatement if the building commissioner confirms asbestos is present. The motion carried by voice vote.

Why it matters: Sewage intrusion poses immediate health and habitability concerns for tenants. If asbestos-containing materials are involved in repair or disturbance, abatement requires certified procedures to protect workers and residents.

What the authority directed

- Building Commissioner's Office to inspect the repair work, verify whether the wrapped soil pipe is asbestos-containing material and require abatement procedures where required.
- Release the rehab order only if the inspection confirms satisfactory repairs and any abatement has been completed to applicable standards.

Next steps

Payne and Blue Sky were instructed to arrange the requested inspection. If abatement is required, the owner or manager must provide documentation that licensed remediation was performed and schedule a reinspection before the case will be closed.