[napsternova]

Hello fellow DIYers,
For the last 3 years my lovely neighbor has had her sump pump drain into my backyard. I’ve called the city and she can do it because the outlet is 10ft from my property. Problem is we have a very high water table and the sump goes off every 10 minutes. I have been nice and even offered to pay half to have the underground train tile repaired. She declined and told me tough . So I’m left to my own devices. I need to create some sort of drainage area for my backyard that runs about 50ft along the side and 10ft along the back. Granted the water drains on the opposite side of her sewer grate. I was thinking of a rain garden but
1) can I make one to handle that much water? As it is I cannot walk through it let alone push my mower without creating 4” deep ruts.
2) I am sure as soon as I finish it she will pay to have it fixed and I’ll be left with a dry rain garden.
Now I have a ton of red lava rock and river pebble surrounding my house. I was going to remove those rocks anyway so maybe I can use them in the garden? Any suggestions? The city engineer to me to keep my cool :furious: and not let it escalate. LOL

 

[napsternova]

OK, well it's time to revisit this situation again. Main reason is my poor little girl can't run around outside without getting sucked into the swamp that has become my backyard. The normal drainage is a swale system but the swale is bombarded all day with sump pump water so when it does rain the ground is so saturated that it just sits. Her storm drain is at the opposite corner of her yard. I'm thinking I will ultimately have to file a lawsuit.

 

[napsternova]

While that's a good suggestion I think it can be very costly seeing is it has to pass city inspection. I contacted the county but they said it was a city matter, the city said it was my problem but I can't mess with function of the swales. So... that's B.S.

 

[napsternova]

That does make sense. OK, I'll keep notes on my "repair" to share.

 

[napsternova]

My sump pump is just fine, my neighbors on the other hand is going off all day long. Both houses have different builders, hers was built first and that builder also developed the subdivision. Either her house has a deeper basement then mine or who knows.

 

[napsternova]

Funny thing happened. It's like a Christmas Miracle. I go out this morning bright and early still pizzed about the water when low and behold, she added more drain tile so it now is pointed the other neighbor. LOL Well at least maybe for a couple weeks I can mow the yard without wearing water wings. There is still a lot of water so I'm most likely going to add a berm/water garden of sorts. Maybe she reads this board? LOL It's funny, I just contacted the city again seeking clarification regarding the bylaw.