Houston homeowner flags backyard hole, then city calls 16-foot well a 'private problem'

Houston homeowner Karen Jennings has been trying to get a large opening in her backyard addressed, as a dispute continues over who should secure it.

She says repeated 311 requests to the city have not resolved the problem, leaving her with a hazard on her property that city records later described as over a dozen feet deep.

Here's what to know

As ABC13 Houston reported on its TikTok account (@abc13houston), Jennings filed 311 complaints after the hole appeared. 

@abc13houston

A Houston homeowner says a hole that opened in her backyard is old city infrastructure, but the city says it is an abandoned water well and a private problem.

♬ original sound - ABC13 Houston

The owner of the plumbing company she uses told the station he believes the opening may be connected to older City of Houston infrastructure, possibly a manhole.

In a 311 report, the Wastewater Operations Department identified it as "an abandoned groundwater fed water well approximately 15 to 16 feet deep."

Officials wrote in the report, "after the water was vacuumed out, the brick lining and accumulated debris became visible." 

They also wrote that "the well was previously covered, but the cover deteriorated over time, allowing bricks and debris to fall into the well and create the appearance of a sinkhole," per the station. 

More background

In ABC13's written report, Jennings said the situation came to a head when a former tenant actually fell into the hole.

"While he was weeding, the ground just gave way underneath his feet, and he fell in," she recalled. "He had been screaming for help, but no one could hear him because he's back here."

The 311 response treats the situation as "a private problem" rather than a City of Houston issue, as Jennings and the plumber seem to believe.

Jennings shared her recollection of the plumber's work to the station: "Then he pulled the brick out. They had 'Houston' on it. Oh, no. This is no sinkhole. This is a city something."

What's being done?

Jennings has kept submitting 311 requests, hoping the city will take responsibility for filling the hole, ABC13 reported.

With the city apparently washing its hands of the issue, it appears to be at an impasse. For Jennings, that is creating a dangerous precedent not only for her property, but for others who may have dangers like it lurking in their yards.

"Can you imagine that you sent your child in the backyard, you, your husband or lawn care person back there and they step, they're back there working and they disappear," she concluded to the outlet. "Just disappear."

Where can I learn more?

Jennings' standoff with the city shows how hidden wells, water systems, and yard damage can become major homeowner headaches. 

• In Arlington, Texas, homeowners with private wells faced a boil-water advisory after a 100,000-gallon wastewater spill.

• In Grandfalls, Texas, an abandoned oil well under a church parking lot spewed toxic wastewater.

• One homeowner said a sluggish HOA let a leaking sprinkler keep driving up costs.

• A homeowner said a neighbor's landscaping decision sent runoff into the yard and raised legal questions.

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