BY ROB HOELL wpix.com

5:44 p.m. EDT, October 27, 2009
ALBERTSON, N.Y. (WPIX)—
One Long Island woman claims raw sewage that began leaking into her home in Albertson has destroyed her basement.

Kathy Byagari noticed brown water bubbling up from her basement toilet and shower Saturday afternoon. Not knowing it was raw sewage, her children started a bucket brigade and began taking the filthy water up the stairs and emptying it outside.

"RotoRooter put a cam line down a hundred feet all the way to the street and told me, 'Miss it's not your sewer line, it's coming in from the street,'" Byagari told PIX News.

Byagari called Nassau County and said she was forced to wait 5 hours before someone showed up - all while her basement was filling with sewage. Byagari says when public works finally arrived, they quickly removed a blockage out in the street.

Since the problem wasn't with her septic system, Byagari's homeowners insurance won't pay. She contacted Nassau County officials, but was only told to file a notice of claim.

"That just means we get a report from them in 6 to 8 weeks," said Byagari.

So far, it has cost Byagari close to $7,000 to clean up the mess - including the removal of contaminated sheetrock and flooring. However, that doesn't include the loss of physical therapy equipment her son uses for his muscle disorder. In addition, Byagari has more concerns over the possible health effects.

"I can't replace our health if something happens," Byagari said. "Hepatitis C can lead into cancer of the liver, it's a lot worry about now."

PIX News tried to reach out to Nassau County officials, but calls were not immediately returned.