A clogged sewer line has caused raw sewage to seep into the basement of a home in the Wesley Hills section of Ramapo.

Raphael Ziegler says his basement is ruined from the sewage. Ziegler blames an overworked sewer system for the problem. However, Department of Public Works crews believe the mess was caused by a clog somewhere in the sewer line near Kentor Lane. After checking several manholes, crews apparently found that a grease clog was the source of the backup.

Town Supervisor Chris St. Lawrence says clogs can occur when residents dump cooking grease down their drains. As soon as crews cleared the grease clog, it stopped the spewing water problem in Ziegler?s home. However, the stench remains, says Ziegler.

St. Lawrence says the town will pay for Ziegler?s damages and get a valve installed in the home to prevent overflows in the future.