Cold snap leaves disabled woman without water, septic

February 13, 2011

more than a week after the cold snap hit new mexico -- one cedar crest woman is still facing a big problem. the pipes in her home are still frozen and the only plumber she can afford won't be able to take care of the problem until april. but after we made some calls -- it looks like some much needed help is on the way. cristina rodda is here with the story. cristina? jaci bledsoe is 60 years old and disabled. she's lived in her mobile in cedar creast for 5 years but right now living in her home is absolutely unbearable. from outside jaci bledsoe's home looks picture perfect-- but the problem is underneath -- the pipes that bring water are frozen. she says it's going on two weeks now that she's been without running water.... every plumber i called up just couldn't get me for a week and a half. those are the plumbers bledsoes says she can't afford-- the only one she can afford says he can't come until-- the pipes thaw out --- which could be april or even may. to make matters worse-- bledsoe found out there was something else that was frozen. i noticed that the sewage coming up in my bathtub." she says her septic tank also took a hit from the freezing cold temperatures and spewed into her home. now bledsoe, like many new mexicans in similar situations right now, is hoping for a miracle. i pray someone will help me. we contacted bernalillo county commissioner wayne johnson-- he represents cedar crest. he tells us-- a county plumber volunteered to check out bledsoe's home on monday. he says the county will help bledsoe find out if she qualifies for any programs that may help her pay for the repairs that will make her home livable aga