It seems only fitting that an NFL quarterback would join some of San Francisco’s wealthiest residents in booming a lawsuit against the City of San Francisco. Legendary 49ers quarterback Joe Montana has thrown his support behind the more than fifty residents who say their homes were flooded with raw sewage in December.
Joe Montana joins suit against San Francisco over sewage water flooding ritzy neighborhood https://t.co/xXlufXrKyp pic.twitter.com/t7I0GYFh1h
— New York Post (@nypost) September 3, 2023
The lawsuit claims the sewer system in San Francisco is outdated and has been neglected and inadequately maintained by the City. The homes of the residents, many of them millionaires, have been flooded with untreated sewage and contaminated water. The suit also states that the sewage has permeated the soil, walls, and floors of the affected homes, depositing fecal and raw sewage matter.
Montana, who led the 49ers to four Super Bowl championships in the ’80s and ’90s, has joined up with Victor Makras, a real estate mogul, along with over fifty other plaintiffs. They say the city should have taken steps to protect the City from this type of sewage disaster.
The lawsuit is seeking compensation for damages, as well as for the city to adhere to more stringent preventative maintenance measures. If the City fails to meet these measures, then the plaintiffs say the City should be held accountable.
The case is a reminder of how fragile the infrastructure of major cities is, especially that of major cities like San Francisco. It’s a stark contrast to other parts of the U.S., like the Big Bend of Florida, which recently sustained a Category 4/3 hurricane, yet the power was back on in days.
This is not the first time San Francisco has been in the news for this type of thing. In 2019, an aging sewer system caused an estimated 800,000 gallons of raw sewage to spew into a San Francisco lagoon.
The City of San Francisco is yet to comment on the lawsuit, and it is unclear what, if any, steps they will take to address the issues. It could range from repair and upgrades to their wastewater facilities to appointing new officials to take charge of the situation.
No matter what, the lawsuit serves as a reminder of the importance of investing in infrastructure. Failing to do so can have serious consequences that go beyond your pocketbook. It can cause serious health risks and create potential environmental disasters.
In the meantime, Montana and the plaintiffs hope the City will take responsibility for their negligence and see that justice is done. Only time will tell if the residents will prevail, but one thing is certain: San Francisco’s infrastructure needs a major overhaul.
