Large water landfill next to house. (Nassau: houses, neighborhood, home inspector)

[lesscrappy]

Was looking at a nice house in Nassau County the other day that seemed perfect for us however there were a couple of things that bothered me. First thing was that the house was sharing a side fence with one of those water collection sites. I dont know how to explain it any better but its a huge piece of land dug out deep to collect water during rainfall. Surrounded by trees but still sort of an eyesore. Does anyone know if there are any risks associated with being next to a site like that. Am I at risk for flooding because of it. More bugs? etc.. Also I noticed in the backyard there was a sewer grate that the property map told me was an open dry well. Ive never seen a sewer grate in someones backyard before. Im concerned my kids will trip and hurt themselves on it. Why is it there and can it be removed?

[totallyfrazzled]

When I was a kid we used to call those sites a "sump". Nowadays I think the applicable term is "catch basin". They are either owned by the town or the county, I don't recall which. As for health issues it probably depends on the weather in any given season as well as how fast the collected water drains. Obviously if water sits for any appreciable length of time it will become a breeding site for mosquitoes during the warm months.

Not sure if the grate in the backyard of the house you saw has any connection with the catch-basin or whether it's something the owner put in for drainage purposes. Your best bet is to ask your realtor to ask the seller's realtor for a more detailed explanation. Does the house's yard at that point slope toward the catch basin, or it is maybe in a low-lying area of its own?

[atypicalLIer]

House is next to a sump, has a dry well in the backyard...move along.

Bugs in the summer if there is any standing water. Critters. An attractive nuisance for the neighborhood kids.

Growing up in Nassau in the early 70's I recall stories of a children who drowned in sumps. They were looking for frogs, playing with the water -- being curious kids.

[KENNY GUIDO]

I know the sump you are talking about. its by the sunrise mall, correct? you have no problem because it never has water, at least not long enough to do any harm.

[scottzilla]

I view the sump as a positive. Consider it vacant land that can't be built on.
Sumps are "Recharge areas" for ground water. These are generally dry areas, designed to drain rapidly. If it has water in it, it's a "pond", not "Sump". I would not worry about bugs at all.
Seriously, I would like the house that much more becasue it's next to a sump. One less neighbor to worry about.

[scottzilla]

Forgot about the drain in the backyard...
I guess your kids could trip on anything, huh?
This grate/drywell is designed to collect water runoff. I would be curious why it's there; did the property have a water problem and this was installed to correct it?
I think your home inspector can figure this out for you. I wouldn't call the grate a deal breaker.

[twingles]

My best friend has lived next to a sump for over 15 years and has had no issues with it at all. As someone else said, it makes for a nice, peaceful neighbor.

[Arron]

I have a sump right across the street. Been here for 4 1/2 years and no probs whatsoever. As others said, 1 less neighbor!

[zulu400]

I guess its all right.... I saw a couple of houses like that, what put me off is the lack of aesthetics sense surrounding the actual sump itself.... its like a bunch of trees growing randomly on the edge of the sump and it looks really crappy. I mean thats what you will see from your backyard....
Other than that, I'm on board with the "1 less neighbor" logic !!

[AfriqueNY]

In the spring the mosquitos go nuts. My friend had to throw tadpoles and minnows in his across the street. In summer and winter it's fine.