Thousands dealing with stormwater issues stuck on years-long waitlist

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Thousands of people are dealing with stormwater issues and are stuck on a waitlist with no short-term solution.

Records obtained by Channel 9 show as of April 1, 158 projects with Charlotte’s Stormwater Services have yet to be assigned to an engineer. In addition to those projects, there are 4,205 low-priority requests that are awaiting services.

Stormwater Services classifies projects based on their severity, ranging from AI- C. As of April, three AI projects, 486 A projects, 665 B projects and four C projects were pending.

Depending on a project's severity and safety risk, customers can be told wait times up to 10 years. Projects can also be bumped down the list if more critical issues appear.

Carolyn Barnett never thought she would be tip toeing through her front yard on Montana Drive in west Charlotte.

[IMAGES: West Charlotte sinkhole stuck on stormwater services waitlist]

"It's like you're trying to walk on water. You don't know when you're going to sink," she said.

A failing drainage system created a massive 15-foot sinkhole that now sits before her house surrounded by barricades.

"It is very much a safety concern," Barnett said. "It's very sickening, we can't even do any family functions over here."

She and her brother no longer go inside the home out of fear it will be next. Sinkholes have already started popping up in other parts of her yard.

When she first called the city of Charlotte about the issue in January, she was told it would take 6 to 8 years to have this fixed because there are higher priorities.

"I told them if I have to I'll call Donald Trump out here, you know, I’m for real," Barnett said. "That's how serious I am about this property."

The city has since reduced that estimation, but still expects it to be a year before things are back to normal.

Barnett was told it will cost $185,000 to fix the issue.

Channel 9's investigation revealed this is an issue in all parts of Charlotte.

A clogged trench is causing massive flooding near a home on Carmel Acres Drive in south Charlotte.

The homeowner, Jeff Watson, said he was told it will be 8 to 10 years before it is fixed.

"It's frustrating," Watson said. "I don't think everybody's stormwater should be coming across my house."

Watson was told it would cost $70,000 to fix the issue.

Stormwater Services and the City Manager's Office denied requests for on-camera interviews.

Charlotte City Councilmember Kenny Smith said stormwater calls are the hardest ones to receive from his constituents because there is almost never good news.

"This is not acceptable," he said.

Numbers obtained by Channel 9 showed the city expects the project backlog and wait time to more than double by 2027.

City Manager Marcus Jones is looking for solutions, and the next city council may have to decide whether to significantly hike fees, change the funding model or eliminate work on private property.

Smith said the problem comes down to the city's huge population increase and not enough money.

"We need to figure it out," Smith said. "It is one of the most basic services the city provides."

Barnett is losing patience. Her once-beautiful yard is now covered in orange, with grass growing out of traffic cones.

"We're taxpaying citizens, it should be taken care of immediately," she said.

Barnett said every moment the city fails to act, people's properties are one minute closer to looking like hers.

Stormwater Services released the following statement in response to this report:

"Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services prioritizes the use of limited public funds to address the drainage needs in the community. The top priority is the repair of drainage infrastructure, such as broken pipes under and near city streets. Storm drainage systems located on private property that connect to the city street drainage system may also qualify for service; however, as new issues are identified for repair in or near the public right-of-way, they may supersede requests for work on private property."

Cox Media Group