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1. There is a drainage easement in my backyard, and it's overgrown. What can I do?

The City does not perform regular maintenance on most drainage easements within the City. A drainage easement is a document providing the City the right to place public water on private property. Property within a drainage easement belongs to the property owner and not the City.

Further the property owner is responsible for removing trash, keeping vegetation mowed and similar maintenance activities. The City only becomes involved when there is a major blockage or infrastructure failure. The City can also become involved when structures, like fences, are built in a drainage easement or property owners bring infill to the easement.

For more information visit stormwater infrastructure in Engineering.

2. The street in front of my house is flooding when it rains. What can be done?

All City streets are designed to carry a certain amount of water during storms, even beyond the curb in most cases. Water entering a house is a concern to the City and should be reported as soon as it happens so the City can investigate the problem and look for solutions. It could be as simple as boards or other material blocking the pipe or inlet. But it can also be very involved and complicated, taking time to correct.

3. The creek behind my house looks awful. When will the City come out to clean it?

The City does not clean creek areas on a regular basis. Large cleanup events held by the City are typically on public land and involve large groups of volunteers. The best solution to this problem is for everyone to put their trash in the proper place - a trash can.

4. The creek behind my house is overgrown and now I have raccoons and snakes. What can the City do?

Any water feature is going to attract wildlife, including raccoons and snakes. The City does not perform regular maintenance along most water ways. These areas are typically designed to be overgrown. As long as the condition does not pose a threat of flooding to a home or structure, the City will not remove the vegetation.

5. What should I do if there is a horrible smell coming out of the pipe next to my house?

Any odor nuisances should be called in. There is not always something that can be done about it, but the City needs to make sure the sanitary sewer system has not been leaking into the storm sewer system. The most common odor problems at storm sewer outfalls are decomposing leaves and other organic matter, and this poses no threat to human health.

6. The ditch behind/beside my house has become filled in, and now I'm worried about flooding. What can be done?

The Environmental Services Department works with other departments in the City to address these concerns. Depending on the situation, a City crew may be able to come out and regrade the area, but a drainage easement must exist for the City to enter the property for this reason.

7. What can be done about the concrete around a storm drain pipe that is cracking?

This is not always a concern but should be reported so City staff can evaluate the situation and prevent problems from occurring.

8. There was huge storm and my house has flooded. Can the City help?

There is no simple answer for this question. The City's ability to improve the situation is entirely dependent on the location and cause of the flooding. Several homes in the City were built before the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) enacted floodplain restrictions, and these homes will flood if there is a large enough storm. However some problems can be addressed by repairing the storm sewer system. If your home has flooded, please report this information to the City.

9. Who should I call to report a drainage problem?

Contact Howard Redfern, environmental services manager at 817-276-4240. For more information, visit stormwater infrastructure in Engineering.