By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities
Homeowners and residents in one Missouri, subdivision Find themselves stuck with a big problem with no easy solution.
According to a KMOV report last month, the Country Haven Homeowners’ Association recently discovered that a persistent stream of water running through the neighborhood is not due to a water main leak or bad storm water drainage.
Jefferson County officials say the community is built on top of a natural underground spring. Spring water is now seeping to the surface, mostly likely due to newer development.
KMOV video clearly shows the constant flow of water in the subdivision’s streets, some of it soaking private lawns. Last winter, KMOV reports, the water froze, creating large ice patches on Country Haven’s roads, creating hazardous driving conditions.
Homeowners are frustrated by the constant moisture. The constant stream of water erodes road surfaces, and encourages growth of curbside algae.
HOA asks Jefferson County for help
Now that the HOA knows the source of the water, Jefferson County officials say it’s the HOA’s responsibility to find a way to deal with the natural spring.
HOA President David Wuebbels says the Association has only $15,000, and it won’t cover the cost of diverting all of the water.
Members of the HOA were scheduled to meet with county officials on May 4. But a search of Jefferson County’s website found no agenda, minutes, or video of an open meeting to discuss County Haven’s options.
Country Haven subdivision consists of dozens of single family homes constructed in the 1980s and 1990s. It sits a few miles east of Interstate 55, and west of the Mississippi River.
Recent home sale prices range from $135,000 – $150,000.
What can Country Haven do to divert water from the spring?
The solution depends on several factors: the volume of water flow, the slope of the land, and soil types.
Experts can use a variety of methods to divert the spring, such as trenches, french drains, dry wells, and gravel pits. But first, the community must designate a location to collect all the water they plan to divert.
The challenge: how to divert the water without flooding basements or private property. One or more pumps may be necessary to divert water away from homes and neighboring communities.
No one knows what it will cost to solve this problem, but it looks like homeowners will be footing the bill.
At the moment, there are no short-term or long-term solutions proposed by either Country Have HOA or Jefferson County. ♦
News source:
Jefferson Co says it can’t do anything to stop leak in Imperial subdivision (VIDEO)
Ashli Lincoln, KMOV | Posted Apr 15, 2019
References:
How to Divert a Natural Water Spring, by Sara Gaul, hunker.com
How to Stop a Water Spring in Your Yard
Written by Kathryn Jones; Updated December 17, 2018