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Residents report basements flooding after West Seventh Street reconstruction; city hires consultants to investigate
Summary
Neighbors told the council that basement flooding increased after reconstruction work on West Seventh Avenue. City staff said grout injection was completed and consultants are being engaged to analyze hydrogeology and advise on targeted remedies; potential fixes could range from modest work to multi-million-dollar projects.
Residents from the West Seventh Avenue area told the Oshkosh Common Council that basement flooding began or worsened after recent reconstruction work and have been ongoing since Sept. 19. Lee Faust and Court Lakash presented videos, soil-boring logs and first-hand observations describing water intrusion into basements and rising groundwater levels near the project area.
City engineering staff said they performed a grout injection at the intersection of Seventh and Michigan to isolate parts of the new construction and that monitoring shows some changes. Justin (city engineering staff) said the grout work was performed "a little over a week ago" and its intent was to seal construction joints and help determine whether the new work is leaking or whether older infrastructure is the source.
Staff and the city manager reported that they are pursuing hydrogeology consultants to undertake a scientific analysis, but several firms lacked immediately available staff so progress requires additional outreach. City staff described the work as a complex hydrogeologic question that could require monitoring wells, targeted excavation, televising storm sewers, or other investigative methods. The city cautioned that some remedial options could cost millions and would require CIP amendments if pursued.
Council members pressed for a clear timeline and asked whether digging in a yard or street could be a quicker diagnostic step; staff said a single excavation might not reveal the source and that methodical isolation and expert analysis are necessary to avoid making the problem worse. The city said it will continue weekly reporting to residents, expedite consultant selection when possible, and may use emergency contracting authority if required to address urgent impacts.
No formal remedies or funding approvals were adopted at the meeting; staff said they will return with consultant scopes, cost estimates and recommended next steps.
