Homeowner says stormwater fee doesn't help with constant flooding, Riverkeeper weighs in
Tuesday, May 29, 2018
News 12 @ 6 O'clock / NBC 26 at 7
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- There's the old saying, every time it rains, it pours.
For Tammy Dollahan's Goshen backyard every single time it rains, it floods.
"It doesn't matter if it rains one day or if it rains for 10 days it floods," said Dollahan.
It’s no puddle either.
At its worst, Tammy says the rain from Spirit Creek comes up higher than their trampoline, past their fence.
Looking over her yard, Tammy tells News 12, Kelly Wiley, "It will look like all of this is a river.”
Despite paying for the stormwater fee, which is partly to help clean stormwater issues, she says her family ends up cleaning the debris so the flooding doesn't get worse.
"I'd like them to do something about this waterway so we don't deal with flooding constantly.”
Her yard isn't the only place flooding. The river is swollen with so much water, it nearly reaches the top of the sign at the Public Boat Ramp at Savannah Riverbluff Lock and Dam.
Savannah Riverkeeper Tonya Bonitatibus shows reporter Kelly Wiley the high water is turning the handicap parking lot into a body of water.
"When God decides to bring the river up, there is no amount of stormwater fee is going to fix that,” Tonya Bontatibus.
Bonitatibus says, if every time it rains your yard ends up flooded, it is an issue the city can probably help you with.
“If you are in a situation where you do have regular flash flooding occurring, that could help you.”
The Riverkeeper says she doesn’t getting rid of the stormwater fee but does think there's an opportunity for a better fee system.
Bonitatibus stated, "You have to realize the city was over 20 years behind in backlogged projects. That's why the stormwater fee was ed.”
Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle told News 12 he believes the city is not cleaning or surfacing the ditches. In District 8, the Hephzibah area made up 13% of work orders, which is the third most behind District 1 and 2.
