A plumbing problem has caused “significant damage” to the Salisbury Township Public Safety headquarters.

“We lost quite a bit of equipment,” Salisbury Township Chief of Police Allen W. Stiles said in his report to the township board of commissioners at the Aug. 25 meeting.

Stiles said he did not have an estimate of the damage but is in discussions with Salisbury Township Manager Randy Soriano.

The problem was noticed 4 a.m. Aug. 13. The sewage system backed up into the first floor of the township police department headquarters, 3000 S. Pike Ave.

About 12 work stations were damaged in the squad room.

Among equipment damaged were self-contained battery packs.

“We are running the station out of part of the first floor and the second floor,” Stiles said.

Stiles said he, Public Works Department personnel and police officers worked on the cleanup with shovels and trucks until 7 p.m. Aug. 13.

“I want to commend John [Andreas, Salisbury Township director of Public Works],” Stiles said.

About a two-foot-high section, measuring from the floor, of the wall in the squad room had to be removed.

Hazmat uniforms were utilized by personnel.

It is believed the backup happened 1 a.m. or earlier Aug. 13.

“That day was extremely hot and humid,” Stiles said. “The stench was phenomenal.

“Fortunately, we had a company come in and clean it up,” Stiles added.

The backup is said to have been caused by roots growing in the sewer line pipes in the vicinity of the police building. The roots were cut and the pipes were pressure-washed.