A large stormwater basin is creating a big problem for some North Side neighbors.
The drainage system is clogged, creating a back up of free standing water, and a breeding ground for mosquitos.
Neighbors say mosquitos are so bad, they’re avoiding spending time this summer in their yards.
Fox SA’s Investigative Problem Solver Darian Trotter stepped in to help.
Tenchita Flores starts her day spraying and slathering herself with insect repellents.
She’s not fond of harsh chemicals on her skin, but says it’s a necessary evil to ward off mosquitos taking over her back yard.
“I get concerned because we have so many mosquitos in this area,” said Tenchita Flores.
Unfortunately for her, and her North Side neighbors, she says avoiding mosquito bites has become a way of life.
Trotter asked, “How do you feel about it?” Flores replied, “They’re complaining about mosquitos all the time.”
Tenchita and Alfredo Flores describe the source of the mosquito infestation as a free-standing water as large swimming pool.
“I call it a mosquito factory,” Tenchita said.
The stormwater basin, for reasons unknown, doesn’t drain properly.
“It’s enormous,” Tenchita said. “And it’s extremely deep.”
Adamant we had to see it to believe it, they took us out on a golf cart to show us in person.
They weren’t lying. We saw with our own eyes.
The stormwater basin at Blanco and Loop 1604 is full of water that’s not draining. The area’s recent heavy rains aren’t helping.
”I know that now we have two or three notices of the West Nile Virus situation,” Tenchita said.
West Nile Season started in may, months earlier in San Antonio than usual.
Leaders with Metro Health San Antonio are warning, heavy rainfall, high temps and humidity create perfect conditions for mosquitos.
The agency is urging property owners to get rid of free standing water in much smaller amounts than this.
It’s an alert only adding to their frustration.
“It’s terribly frustrating,” Tenchita said.
The Flores’ say they’ve been fighting this battle a long time. They showed us communication they’ve collected.
A few years back they say their call for action resulted in engineers with TCEQ coming out to address the problem.
“So I guess for about six to eight months, I don’t know how long it did drain,” Tenchita said. “Then it stopped again. And ever since then, it has never really fully drained.”
This time around…
Tenchita said, “We have gone to Sonterra Property owners, Stone Oak property owners, SAWS, and TCEQ, and 311, all them, Nothing.”
So we reached out to SAWS, TCEQ and San Antonio Code Enforcement.
TCEQ says a violation was issued to the regulated entity back in June of 2024 for failing to maintain the basin.
Corrective action was taken and the problem was solved. As a result of our recent inquiry, a new investigation was launched in June.
“Last I heard was that somebody in Austin owns that particular slice of land, and that they have been contacted, and that they don’t respond,” Tenchita said.
Who’s responsible for unclogging and maintaining the basin? We’ve learned property owners are.
SAWS tells us the owner has been notified the site is out of compliance and requires corrective action.
If the problem is not solved, we’re told TCEQ may issue enforcement penalties including fines.