A beleaguered homeowner whose family had to shout at times to hear each other and who had to put up with the smell of raw sewage is finally in more pleasant surroundings.

Jim Clarke endured a noisy and smelly sewage system which would sometimes break down and send raw sewage onto his property. Things got to a messy head a few weeks ago when a malfunction sent fecal matter 30 feet into the air, contaminating his house.

The Clarkes have moved into a rental property about 10 minutes away with expenses (including rent and utilities) covered by the town. Next will be an appraisal of the property and, if council agrees, a buyout.

Clarke says they only found out recently that raw sewage can pose a hazard years later. He says he was informed that after sewage spills onto property, it can dry in the heat and become airborne.

Clarke wonders what he and his family may have been exposed to.