Just days after an emotional plea before Akron City Council, the City of Akron says it will step in and cover the cost of replacing a sewer line that left a Ward 9 family without basic sanitation for nearly two years.

Mayor Shammas Malik released a statement Thursday confirming the city will take responsibility for the repairs following meetings with the family after Monday night’s council session.

“On Monday at City Council, a resident shared a significant challenge her family has been dealing with regarding their sewer line,” Malik said. “We were able to meet with her family after the meeting and will be meeting with her again tomorrow.”

As previously reported, Tiffany Smith told council her family had been living under extraordinary conditions since early 2023 after city sewer work damaged a private sewer lateral connected to their nearly 100-year-old home.

“For two years, my kids haven’t been able to have company over,” Smith told council. “For two years, Akron’s sewer and maintenance have told me not to put tissue down my toilet. For two years, we have used plastic bags to dispose of tissue after wiping.”

Smith said repeated requests for help were met with letters demanding she pay roughly $30,000 for repairs, or face the cost being added to her property taxes, and later warnings that her water service could be shut off. One of Smith’s children has disabilities, and she told council she had medical documentation stating clean water was essential.

In his statement, Mayor Malik acknowledged while the sewer lines involved are private, the city’s initial involvement played a role in the prolonged situation.

“My current understanding is that city staff responded to the property in early 2023 and attempted to clear a blockage to a private sewer lateral,” Malik said. “After initial efforts were unsuccessful, city staff left the property, and the city has since requested that the property owner undertake the repairs themselves.”

However, he added because the city initially attempted repairs, and given the length of time the issue has remained unresolved, Akron will now assume the cost.

“In the interest of resolving this situation that has been going on for more than two years, and because the city initially attempted to make repairs, the city is now planning to cover the cost of the replacement of the line,” Malik said.

He also said the city will review how similar situations are handled in the future.

The announcement comes after Smith spoke for nearly five minutes during public comment, longer than the usual three, before council paused the meeting to speak with her privately.

Mayor Malik emphasized a commitment to transparency and dignity going forward.

“Our city government team, including our Service Department staff, work extraordinarily hard on behalf of the residents of Akron,” he said. “My commitment is that we will always operate transparently and will always seek to treat residents with dignity and respect.”

For Tiffany Smith and her family, the decision marks a turning point after years of uncertainty, and restores access to something most families take for granted: safe, dignified sanitation in their own home.