Sump pumps running in Waupaca’s Foxfire Subdivision
By Angie Landsverk
A groundwater study is set for Waupaca’s Foxfire Subdivision.
The common council voted unanimously on June 16 to hire Strand Associates for the project at a cost not to exceed $24,500.
All members were present for the meeting either in person or virtually.
The funding for the study is out of the city’s Tax Incremental Financing District No. 6.
Justin Berrens, the city’s public works director, brought the request before the council.
He told the council he has fielded a number of complaints the past few years about sump pumps running 24/7 all year in that subdivision.
There are multiple homes in which the sump pumps are running nonstop, he said.
Berrens said he has also received complaints about high groundwater.
The homes in that area have all been built during the last 25 years, he said.
About half of the available lots in the subdivision have homes on them, Berrens said.
Even recently built homes are having issues, he told the council.
When a sump pump runs all the time, it increases the property owners’ electric bill, Berrens said.
“Sump pumps are typical in new home construction and routine operation is expected in many areas during high precipitation times (mainly spring),” he wrote in a memo to the mayor and council.
The last couple of springs were wet and there are also artificial ponds in that area, he said.
Berrens said the foundation height appears to be appropriate with the adjacent land and street improvements.
The information the city gathers from the study will help set basement floor elevations for future construction, he said.
With more recent builds, the city has advised builders and owners to raise foundation heights, Berrens wrote in his memo.
However, the city does not have any solid data to provide yet, he said.
“There is an obvious benefit to the city when the subdivision has all lots with homes built on them,” Berrens wrote. “There is also a concern to the existing home values if this issue cannot be solved and no new homes are built.”
He said the study should also determine if the local ponds are influencing high groundwater.
The information will help manage pond levels, irrigation schedules or identify other potential storm water improvements, according to Berrens.
He reached out to Strand Associates for the study.
Berrens said the firm is familiar with the city’s storm water system and has its storm water GIS data.
Strand Associates also completed storm water reviews at Bonnie’s Bloomers and the SCS Swiderski development, he noted.
In addition, city staff has a working relationship with the firm and is confident in its ability to complete the study and accomplish the goals, Berrens said.
“I feel they have a step up on completing this work for us,” he told the council.