RAPID CITY, S.D. – New testing in the Hideaway Hills subdivision of Black Hawk have showed dangerous conditions making the ground where the homes were built even more unstable.
Families in the subdivision were forced out of the home three years ago when a massive sinkhole opened, exposing an old gypsum mine underneath.
More than 150 homeowners have filed a class-action lawsuit against the state of South Dakota in response to the partially collapsed mine.
New testing in the area reportedly shows sewage leakages are causing the soil to weaken, making the ground homes were built on even more unstable.
Kathy Barrow is a legal representative for the families. She says there is a noticeable acceleration of deterioration in the land in that area.
Barrow says the results show the water lines have been disturbed by the collapse of the soils and are currently leaking 28,000 gallons of water a day which is more than 10 million gallons every year.
Trials to determine South Dakota’s liability and potential damages it may have to pay in the case are scheduled for next year.
