WOODS CROSS—It’s been eight years since residents in the Farm Meadows subdivision started noticing cracks in the foundation of their homes. The subsidence was gradually causing the houses to sink. The city has gone to great lengths to help residents in this area and continue to find ways to assist.

“The water level in the ground is going down,” said City Administrator, Bryce Haderlie. “We continue to work with cities to reduce their water consumption. It’s not just cities, refineries also draw water, then the drought. Added together the historic water level has been dropping.”

The drought is the biggest factor, he said. “For 10 years it’s been really dry. We’re working to stabilize the water level.”

Haderlie said the city is applying for a BRIC (Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities) grant from FEMA. “It will allow us to do further studies and gather data. It’s used throughout the state.”

The city intends to use a water aquifer recharge in the area, he said. “It’s where you’re trying to find water sources that can be put back into the ground. It could be a stream that’s not being used and then divert the water in areas where it can percolate in the ground like gravel pits.”

It sends the water to work through it, said Haderlie. “It’s like a straw. You can suck it out as long as there’s water. If there's not enough to pull out you have to recharge to replenish that.”

None of the properties have been condemned or unsafe, he said. “People walk away from their homes (for different reasons) all the time but I’m not aware of or have heard of anyone who walked away. The city has had engineers go in and there’s not a situation where residents have been told to get out now like in Draper. There’s not a situation where a home is in that state of disrepair.”

The city established a Community Reinvestment Area to help support the repairs of homes in the area and has paid more than $1,627,361 in CRA grants to assist homeowners with foundation repairs, Haderlie said. The city has also loaned more than $71,090 in low interest loans to help homeowners with foundation repairs.

Haderlie said this doesn’t come from taxpayer money. “It’s diverted as redevelopment. The city used RDA money which is for improving property like where Smith’s is. It’s used to spur economic activity and for buildings that are in disrepair. We’ve used some RDA money for rehabilitation and county money too and citizens who are financially able to cover a portion also. It’s rehabilitation, not just taking money to run the city.”

Most home insurance doesn’t cover something like this, he said. “It’s considered an act of God. Most people don’t even know this happens. It’s like flood insurance you have to pay extra.”

They don’t have a safety net, said Haderlie. “Some are taking money out of retirement, savings or getting second mortgages. It could cost from $100 to $160,000. It’s more than just putting a roof on.”

Residents become frustrated and think the government should step in and help them, he said. “The city felt there was some money there to help but wanted to get federal money because they have bigger pockets.”

The city has set up an application for residents whose homes have been affected. “People can fill out the application and detail how much settling has happened,” Haderlie said. “We’ve received 23 applications since 2021. We’ve already only helped four people. There’s no way we can get on top of this. Our focus is on getting some bigger money involved.”

Haderlie said the city takes this very seriously. “We realize people need help. They’re frustrated that their insurance won’t pay and they don’t know where to go.” λ