Water drainage issues create a ‘nuisance’ for Chesterfield neighbors

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — A mysterious stream of water has maintained a constant flow in a South Chesterfield neighborhood for years, leaving questions for residents.

When it rains in Donald Hughes' neighborhood near Applewood Road in Chesterfield, he knows once the storm passes water will remain in the street in front of his home.

“Rainy days, you can barely even walk up to the mailbox. You have to reach across or stand in the grass to get your mail out," Hughes said.

Beyond an eyesore, Hughes said the the problem is a "nuisance" for his entire neighborhood.

The problem itself isn't new according to Hughes, he said he first noticed the water about ten years ago. Since then he said he's noticed cracks in the concrete and debris collecting in front of his home.

However, unlike the water, Hughes said he hasn't settled. Instead, he's reached out to county leaders and the Virginia Department of Transportation to request a fix. Both county officials and VDOT representatives told 8News they visited the neighborhood to look into the problem. Chesterfield officials determined the water was not coming from the county's source.

“After a while, you just throw your shoulders up, your hands up, and just give up. Then you deal with it," Hughes said.

After reaching out to VDOT, a representative told 8News, the groundwater issues are not caused by a nearby gas line project, "but rather what appears to be a natural spring under the pavement in this location. As such, we're planning work to install an underdrain at this location to redirect the natural spring. I would expect this work to occur this summer."