A HOMEOWNER was left stunned after they woke up to a 10-foot-deep hole in their driveway – caused by construction for city water lines.
Belinda Jarvis, who lives in a neighborhood near Diplomat Parkway in northeast Cape Coral, Florida, is just one of thousands of locals affected by the recent construction work.
A homeowner says she woke up to a 10-foot-deep hole in her driveway caused by ongoing city water line construction[/caption]
Cape Coral locals face constant roadblocks and detours as crews work to install city water lines[/caption]
Residents are growing frustrated with the upheaval and financial burden[/caption]
Despite the inconvenience, some residents acknowledge the benefits of city water[/caption]
Indeed, FOX4 has revealed some 2,000 homeowners in northeast Cape Coral are to be sent letters explaining that they will soon have to connect to city water – potentially costing them thousands of dollars.
They claim that the South Florida Water Management District has reported the mid-hawthorn aquifer has risen four feet since reaching record low levels in April, brought about by water restrictions and rainfall in the recharge area.
For locals, the transition has brought significant disruption as construction crews install city water lines.
Ardaijah Pointer, a homeowner’s daughter, said: “It’s just been constant, construction, construction, construction. I’m just, I’m ready for them to be over with it.”
Jarvis, meanwhile, added that the situation has “been a mess.”
“Every time you leave, there’s a different roadblock, and you have another detour,” she said.
“We came out and our whole driveway had a big hole, about 10 feet deep, all the way across. We couldn’t get our cars out of the driveway.”
Vanesa Grajale, another homeowner, added: “Good thing I have, like, an area where I can go towards the back of my gate and get out sometimes, but it changes even by the hour.
“I’ve already had to replace my tires about like, four times going through these streets. The potholes are horrible.”
Some, though, accept some upheaval is necessary for the change.
“It’s been annoying, but at the same time, like I said, I’m ready to have the city water and not have to worry about the well water issue,” Pointer said.
Elsner also believes reducing demand on the aquifer will make a significant difference.
He said: “Once they start connecting residents and taking those wells offline, we’ll have a better idea of the aquifer, how it’s reacting to that less demand.”
PAY UP
The city told residents they will have six months to connect to city water after receiving official notification.
However, the cost is a major hurdle for many.
“I just think it’s outrageous, because nobody, I mean, really has like, $40,000 laying around,” Grajale said.
Jarvis added: “It was like $33,000 you know, which is kind of high. I would love to recoup some of that somehow.”
The city says that grant assistance programs are available to help with costs.
“Residents and business owners will need to work with a licensed plumber to permit and complete the new service connection by installing a water line,” a spokesperson told reporters.
“While costs can vary, a licensed plumber can provide an estimate – but it’s important to note that connecting to City water is typically thousands of dollars less expensive than having to re-drill a private well if it were to run dry.”
Is it illegal to use someone’s driveway to turn around?
Though driveways are considered private property, it may be difficult to prove a driver is in the wrong if they use it for a turnaround, according to legal experts.
Unless a crime is committed by the person using the driveway to turn around or damage is done, it’s bothersome, but not illegal.
“Generally it’s not going to be illegal,” wrote Daniel Lee O’Neil, a litigation lawyer in Texas.
“Unless they are using your driveway to commit a felony drug sale the police are generally not going to be that interested in the matter.”
It’s recommended that homeowners place signs warning against using their driveways or politely ask neighbors to U-turn elsewhere before calling the police.
Source: AVVO
