CITY WILL EASE WAY FOR WATER; SEEPAGE RELIEF IN SIGHT FOR AREA HOMEOWNERS.

Byline: Douglas Clark Daily News Staff Writer

Relief may be on the way for homeowners living in high groundwater areas who are willing to do a little digging and spend about $50.

This week the Department of Public Works has offered to drill 3-inch borings in curbs that front homes where residents have installed a perforated drainage pipe.

The new program is the result of test borings done earlier this year on Caballero Street where groundwater has caused soggy lawns and slippery algae on sidewalks, said John Watring, assistant director of public works.

``In the installations where you put no drainage, they did not work. I saw no benefit with just the borings,'' he said. ``I noticed the sidewalks were dry where water was drained out through the curb face.''

Although the materials would cost less than $50, Watring said some residents might need to hire a landscaping company to do the installation. He did not have estimates for those services.

Watring said the city would pay for the borings, which cost about $18 each. Two borings per home should be sufficient, he said.

Marian Turenne, whose husband, Arthur, installed drainage pipes in the back yard of their Caballero Street home to improve swampy conditions, said more work was needed to improve a soggy front lawn. But she's not so sure homeowners should have to pick up the tab.

``I think it would be helpful to put more drainage in. But somehow we should get a little compensation. We do need some help. I don't think it should be put on the owner to do the whole thing,'' she said.

Sutter Avenue resident Jose Camarena said he was planning on installing a similar system in his front yard where high groundwater has flooded the sidewalk for several years.

But he too believes the city should share the cost.

``They're trying to meet the homeowner halfway. But if the homeowner doesn't have the finances or the ability to do the work, the city still has the liability of the sidewalks,'' he said. ``I don't want anybody to fall, but it's not my sidewalk. If they're concerned about it, they should do something about it.''

Earlier this month the City Council approved $27,000 for a water reclamation feasibility study and directed staff to return within 90 days with a solution to flooding in the area - north from Fitzgerald Road to Royal Avenue and east from First Street to Erringer Street.

For residents who are willing to take part in the program, the city has designed a simple installation plan.

A 3-inch pipe with perforations on the bottom would be installed along the edge of the sidewalk that faces the home. That pipe would connect at each end with 3-inch solid pipe that stretches below the walkway to the curb, where the city would drill borings.

The system works by allowing groundwater to rise into the perforated pipe, then drain through the solid pipes to the street. Residents can obtain a diagram explaining the system by calling Joyce Goodwin, public works clerk, [phone].

``I don't know how this will be received. But it is a proven manner of getting groundwater out to the street,'' he said. ``I would think there would be quite a number of homes that could benefit. Once a few people do this, I think through word of mouth that will be a good way to get the information out.''