NRCS Solves Drainage Problem   

Steve and Sandra Dykes had major drainage problems around their home in Eastman. Steve had attempted to have the drainage problem corrected various times but his efforts failed. The problem had gotten so bad that Sandra was at the point where she was ready to move out then Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) was contacted.

Steve and Sandra had become desperate to correct their drainage problem and had reached a point where they really did not know what to do or who to turn to for advice. The couple purchased their home in 1994 and immediately began having major drainage problems due to heavy rains. Everyone in Georgia refers to 1994 as the year of the great flood which was due to a major hurricane.

 Steve and Sandra’s home was situated in a low lying area that was surrounded by higher ground elevations in all directions. During rainy seasons of each year, their home would almost be completely surrounded by standing water and they would not even have good vehicle access to their home. Steve would have to get a five horsepower pump to remove water out of the yard so that they could have access to the house.

They would also have standing water beneath the home which caused severe mold damage to the home. The family developed health problems from the mold and had to receive medical treatment for allergies. The water caused a termite infestation and there was termite damage to the structure of the house. The septic tank system would also fail to work properly during rainy seasons causing sewage to back up into the house. They could not wash clothes, flush the toilets, bath or wash dishes. The backed up sewage from the septic tank system also caused areas of the house to have floor damage.

On two different occasions, Steve paid to have underground drainage systems installed to correct the problem. The systems failed and did not correct the problem. The Dykes family battled with this drainage problem over a five-year period of time. According to Steve and Sandra, they spent at least $15,000 attempting to solve the problem. They also had to replace the floor in areas of the house, remove the mold, and repair the damage caused by termites.

After unsuccessfully attempting to correct their problem for five years, Sandra’s father Merle Peacock, a local farmer who had received assistance from NRCS, suggested that she contact Chuck McCranie with NRCS for assistance Steve and Sandra contacted NRCS and asked a local contractor Jim Jamieson to install a drainage system and work with NRCS on the project. Chuck McCranie, District Conservationist, and Mr. Jamieson worked closely together on the project. NRCS surveyed and designed the project with recommendations from the contractor.

NRCS helped determine where the outlet needed to be located in order for the system to function properly. The outlet had to be located on adjoining property owned by Stuckey Timberland. Mr. Andy Stone, president of Stuckey Timberland was generous and cooperative with the Dykes family allowing the outlet to be located on Stuckey Timberland property.

The system was installed and is presently draining the area around the home as designed. Steve and Sandra are extremely satisfied with the outcome and are grateful for the valuable assistance NRCS provided.

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