Cary Faces Runoff Problems Not Related To Elections

At the Devereaux development inCary, hundreds of homes have popped up in the past few years and are still under construction. Every time it rains, the water carries the construction site's mud into the Conrad family's pond.

"It's just this mass influx of water and sediment coming into the pond," Conrad said. "It's just total frustration and disgust. This is totally preventable if ordinances and regulations are followed and enforced like they are supposed to be."

Bob Cullingford, construction supervisor for Squire Homes, says the company is working hard to control erosion.

"This morning, we had a couple breaches that allowed some sediment into the street," Cullingford said. "This is the highest priority, and I always say to my subcontractors that on a weekly basis, these roads are to be cleaned, and we are going to clean roads and take pictures."

"We are going to document every Friday what the conditions are," Cullingford said.

Tom Horstmann, Cary's erosion control specialist, says the measures have not always held back the runoff.

"Erosion control is only about 80 percent effective," Horstmann said. "This developer has been placed under notice of violation a number of times, but he has never been fined because he has always taken care of the problem in [the] time we allowed him."

Conrad knows that he cannot stop the development. He just wants to dam the flood of problems.

"It's our home. It's been our home for 35 years," Conrad said. "To see somebody destroy it for no reason is really disheartening."

Horstmann says the problem is common anywhere in the Triangle where new developments are popping up.

If it happens to you, document the problem, take pictures and note when it happens. With those items in hand, call your town or city officials.