Newlywed Couple Displaced for Months After Sewage Overflow

Sewage backup during a sewer rehabilitation project forces couple out of their home for over 4 months

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Melanie Ramjohn and Brian Toelle, a newlywed couple in Parkville, Maryland, were forced to evacuate their home after a sewer rehabilitation project by a subcontractor led to a raw sewage overflow in their basement, damaging their belongings. Four months later, they still have not been able to move back in as they navigate the claims process with the contractor and its insurance company.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the potential risks and disruptions that can arise from infrastructure projects, even when they are intended to improve services. The Toelles' experience raises questions about contractor accountability, the claims process, and whether homeowners are adequately protected when such disasters occur.

The details

A subcontractor hired by Baltimore County to conduct sewer rehabilitation work using the 'Cured in place Method' or CIPP caused a sewage backup that flooded the Toelles' basement with raw sewage. This happened despite the Toelles, who is a plumber by trade, offering to help prevent the issue. The sewage overflow also impacted three other homes in the neighborhood, but the Toelles' home was the worst affected. The county claims similar smaller issues are 'normal to the CIPP process', but the Toelles argue the contractor cannot be trusted with infrastructure work if they cannot handle remediating one home in a timely manner.

  • On October 14, Melanie Ramjohn arrived home to find her basement completely flooded with raw sewage.
  • By Valentine's Day, lab results showed fecal bacteria still lingered in the Toelles' home.

The players

Melanie Ramjohn

A newlywed whose home was flooded with raw sewage.

Brian Toelle

Melanie's newlywed husband, a plumber by trade who offered to help prevent the sewage backup but was not contacted.

John Nelson

A neighbor who witnessed the sewage overflow and could smell the foul odor from his property.

Azuria Water Services

The company that owns Insituform, the subcontractor hired to conduct the sewer rehabilitation work.

ESIS

The insurance company for Azuria Water Services that the Toelles have been going through the claims process with.

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What they’re saying

“It's just unimaginable. I mean, can you imagine your basement completely flooded with raw sewage?”

— John Nelson, Neighbor (WMAR-2 News)

“This is crazy. If this company can't be trusted to remediate one small home that they destroyed in a timely fashion, maybe 1 month, maybe 2 months, I don't know. I don't destroy homes for a living. How can they be trusted with our infrastructure?”

— Brian Toelle (WMAR-2 News)

“They're holding us hostage in limbo through their inaction. We need accountability so this doesn't continue to happen. I mean, this is crazy.”

— Brian Toelle (WMAR-2 News)

What’s next

The Toelles continue to wait for the remediation process to be completed so they can move back into their home, as they deplete their savings and rack up credit card debt from living in temporary accommodations.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for stronger oversight and accountability measures for infrastructure projects, as well as clearer protocols to protect homeowners when things go wrong. It also underscores the financial and emotional toll that such disasters can take on families, even when they are not at fault.