Water Backup onto Property
 

I’m posting this to see if anyone else has experience with similar issues, or can give me direction.

I live on a corner lot. On the corner, is a berm, with landscaping, all property of The Villages. I’ve owned my new built for about 8 months, so I’m still under warranty. The water from the berm area drains onto my property.

For about the first four months, there were no drainage issues. About four months ago, I began to notice that there was always a small puddle of water on the corner of my driveway. I also noticed that the strip of grass from the berm all the way down to my driveway was always damp. I also noticed that a small depression began to form on the outside of the berm, just beyond my property line.

About a month ago, I began to see the amount of water coming down from the berm, along the grassy area of the front curb to my driveway increasing. I was told to call the Villages Utilities. They sent out someone - they turned on my irrigation and said the pipes were all functioning at full capacity. They did the same on their property, and I was told that there may be some slight blockage to their pipes. I asked if I would be contacted what the issue is at their end, and I was told no, since it was not my property.

In the last few weeks, there has been a huge increase in water in my yard. Now there is standing water at all times in my front yard. That area of depression by the berm has grown deeper, but is now relatively dry. I’ve been in contact with several entities. Here is where I’m at:

1) I called the Villages Water/Utilities again - this time they said that potential problem is not in there jurisdiction and for me to contact the District.
2) Called the District - they sent a pair of workers out in less than an hour of call (great service) - They discovered my meter box is completely flooded. They turned on my irrigation as well as the irrigation on Villages property, and said the flow is full at each end, and based on this ruled out any pipe breaks. When I told them, then what is the source of all this backed up water, they first attributed it to recent rains. When I told them it’s been wet and swampy for a few weeks, including our recent hot streak with no rain, they then said it could be ground water swelling up and collecting in my front yard. They said this happens sometimes. I then asked why is this not happening to any of my neighbors? They went across the street and pulled my neighbors meter box - it was bone dry. I then asked, where do I go from here, as this water has a source of someplace, and it doesn’t appear to be rain water. They then said I should talk to warranty dept, since my home is new, and maybe they would put in a French drain, or maybe build up the soil level, since there is a noticeable deep depression in my front yard where the water is accumulating.
3) Called warranty dept - they are going to send out Tri-Valley landscapers to look at the problem.
4) I then called my landscaper, who also came out to look at issue. He feels the issue is the small depression on Villages property, and that there is probably a pin-hole leak, that would not be diagnosed simply by running the irrigation. He said the villages would need to dig up the area around the depression and inspect. He also said, why is there a depression now, when there was none when I bought the house.

I’m waiting now on Tri-County, but am worried they will send me back to the District again. I’m hoping this will get taken care of since I’m under warranty. I feel like I’m getting a lot of snap diagnosis without any real inspections being done.

Sorry for long-winded post - appreciate any feedback - thank you.

They generally take care of warranty issues so why not wait until they inspect it and get back to you?

I hope warranty inspection solves your problem.
Otherwise, as the water does not originate from your property, it looks as if you could be involved in a serious game of 'Pass the Parcel.'

Yep, sorry to say this is nothing to miss with, hell I wouldn't wait
for any cheesy inspection.
Water forming in low lots should be address sooner then later especially
when a new build in volved.

Warranty should have an opportunity to see the problem.

Since the warranty department is already scheduled to take a look, find out what they have to say.

If that doesn't lead to some action then write to one or more of your District Supervisors and ask them for assistance.

If that doesn't help then go to your monthly District meeting and go up to the microphone and ask what you need to do to get something done. I have seen the District meeting approach work to get attention a couple of times.

That’s helpful Bill thanks - of course I will wait for warranty dept to hopefully resolve issue - I’m still learning about the districts and district meetings, so this is good info for me if I need to escalate (I sure hope not).

For your own protection, put everything in writing “…..to confirm our phone conversation (meeting), I understand that…….” And send it to them. Paper always better than verbal ….. avoids misunderstandings and gets a date on record

You might consider adding sinkhole coverage to your homeowner’s coverage, and the sooner the better.

No way to know for sure, but I have been working in landscape for 45 years. Sure sounds like an irrigation leak. Frankly, with the easy to dig sandy soils, I'd dig up that sink hole myself and have a look.

Agree with putting Everything in writing, as stated so well above!

Also, keep that running time/date stamp going as you have in your post.
It is clear and concise. Excellent job.

The responsible departments are less likely to pass-the-buck when they know you have been vigilent at engaging proper authorities and documenting everything.

Only speak to the department heads from this point. You'll have to request a call back, but it's worth the wait. Document who you are speaking to every time you make that request.

Depressions never dry up or stop, as we know. They need immediate attention and geo-technical inspections.
Lastly, if it were us, we would document, but demand action. Keep us updated, you're doing all the right things, just stay vigilent, you're catching this early before it becomes a full blown sinkhole. They call fill it with either dirt or grout and stop the depression, but they have to determine the root problem.
Best of luck.

Agree.

Maybe shut off the irrigation system most likely to be the source for a week and see what happens?

Too much coffee this morning? Not unusual for meter boxes to be flooded during rainy season.

Not sure if I’m responding correctly but Michael can you contact me I have the same issue in Richmond. Pb911@aol.com

I have a similar problem. I live in a Veranda. In one corner of the entrance to my backyard there has been constant wet soil. It’s located on the side that is my neighbors home. I have had MICO out twice. They don’t believe it’s broken irrigation. My neighbor also called warranty and also spoke to MICO who claims they don’t cover the issue we’re having since it’s not an irrigation.
So now up to placing another call to warranty and I believe my neighbor is too.