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Jacksonville couple has lakefront property in their backyard -- and they don't want it

For years, Anthony Bryant and his wife have been dealing with standing water in their backyard. On top of that, the mosquitoes and snakes that come with it.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Jacksonville couple has a pool in their backyard they didn't ask for, and they definitely don't want it.  

For several years, Anthony Bryant and his wife have been dealing with standing water behind their home. They contacted the city for help, and while they have received responses, nothing has been done. So, they contacted the Ask Anthony team. 

"One of the main problems is it breeds mosquitoes," Bryant said. 

Even on what was a slightly cool day, Anthony Austin was constantly swatting the insects from his face while he was interviewing Bryant in his backyard.   

"The source of the problem is the land flows this way, and when it rains a lot, especially during hurricanes that water just piles up out there," Bryant added. 

Bryant said the water is coming from the property behind his home. The problem has gotten so bad, his family built a wall to try to keep the water out.  His parents lived in this house before he took ownership about two years ago. But unfortunately, the wall isn't working.

"It flows around the corner of the wall and comes into my yard."

When Bryant contacted the city about the issue, he said he received a response that there was little that could be done. 

"They tell me it's private property and they tell me it's nothing they can do," Bryant explained. 

The Bryants' live on Carroll Drive, not too far from Edgewood Avenue on Jacksonville's Northside. When Anthony Austin contacted the city about this standing water, he received a response that the property behind the Bryants' home is part of a natural wetland area. In an email, a city spokesperson said:

"The wetland system extends from Raines Viking Way to the east of Cleveland Road.  It is important to understand the wetlands are unmaintained “natural habitat”.  With the severe and intense rainfall, the area was experiencing several weeks ago most likely overburdened the wetland system causing it to stage up in the backyards of the adjacent properties.  Wetland systems take time to recover as they are naturally not well drained."

"This land has been like this for years.  Nothing has been built on it.  People have been throwing trash out there.  This rainwater is just a mess," Bryant said. 

A mess that Bryant is tired of dealing with and taking "no" for an answer to get it resolved. 

"If something can be done back here like a drain or something, that will help to get that water to flow out, it would be a big help," Bryant added. 

So, can anything be done? 

Bryant said he received a phone call this week from a city employee that the issue was going be turned over to the drains and sewer division to see what they can do.  The Ask Anthony team has asked for clarification about that from the city and we're still waiting for a response. 

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