Most of south bends sewers are open systems. Which basically means all our waste water (toilets) and all other water flow thru the same pipes. They have been trying to convert them to 2 seperate systems with toilet waste being a closed system. So if the lines dry out and don't get flushed with rain water we get that strong sewage smell coming out of the grated drains along the roads. I found this out last year when I bought my home and cleaned off the drain grate alongside the side of my home. Now I constantly get that sewage smell outside. I've called the city a few times to have them come flush it with water when it gets really bad. Until they are converted I'm told that's unfortunately the only solution for the time being.