Abandoned Pool Drained
Abandoned Pool Drained Save Email Print
Neighbors question method
Posted: 11:00 PM Jul 8, 2008
Last Updated: 11:19 PM Jul 8, 2008
Email Address: sixonline@wowt.com

A | A | A

A dangerous eyesore in an Omaha neighborhood is finally getting attention after Six On Your Side exposed the hazard. Now there’s concern the abandoned swimming pool wasn't drained properly.

The curiosity of neighborhood kids should dry up as the murky water was pumped out and the pool boarded over. “Kids won't be curious about going back there trying to catch some frogs and all that, the nasty water is gone,” said neighbor Chase Blackmore.

Six On Your Side and a county inspector found the property near 191st and C streets unsecured last month. “We found out the property is in foreclosure," said the inspector.

Neighbor Stacey Vieth was glad to see the pool drained. She's just not happy that the mix of rain and pool water was being pumped into the street. “It doesn't really smell very pleasant around here today, but it's being taken care of."

Omaha's chief plumbing inspector said it's against city code to pump pool water into the street or storm drain. Hoses must lead into a sanitary sewer, so a city inspector will check if the pool was properly drained. “The pool getting cleaned out, they're covering it up, so at least they're doing something about it now," said Vieth.

Now that the back yard pool was taken care of, neighbors have another question. What about all the mold inside? Can the house be repaired so a family can buy it and move in?

Repairs inside the home may be costly and time consuming, but outside it still has curb appeal. “Hopefully another family with some more kids just 'cause we're so close around here, more kids the merrier," said Vieth.

Six On Your Side received some answers from Wells Fargo about why it took this long to take care of this. Once the home loan was in default and the lender was unable to contact the owner, monthly external inspections began.

Inspectors found signs people lived there, including tire tracks in the snow in winter and mowed lawns in spring and summer. The pool was drained when it was confirmed the house was abandoned.

More Stories
Family Mourns Omaha's Latest Murder Victim

Gun Violation Found On MySpace

Park East Store Burglarized

Protection Order Violations

Fire at Omaha Apartment Complex Blamed on Electrical Problem

Ralston Celebrates Independence Day

Councilman Plans to Appeal Vicious Dog Ruling on His Own Dog

Man Drives Himself to Hospital after Shooting

Post Your Comments
First Name:
Location:
Enter Comments: characters left
Email (optional):
By posting this comment I have read and agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy:
You must agree to the Terms of Service to continue.
Read Comments
Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.
Posted by: Curious on Jul 9, 2008 at 01:49 PM
To Todd: If the neighbors drained the pool them selves then all they are doing is openning themselves up to unwanted laibilities. The bank or new owners could claim that any damage to the pool or its equipment were caused by the neighbors trespassing on their property and incorrectly draining it. So do not blame the neighbors for not doing themselves, blame them for complaining about how it was drained, this is pretty much what they did with the Qwest, I am sure there were no chemicals in the pool water any more.

Posted by: HMG on Jul 9, 2008 at 12:31 PM
Too Funny - Wells Fargo Home Mortgage should be going under here shortly I would think. They are the #1 offender of these "Funny Money Loans" and I am sorry, but, I think they deserve every house they get back and all the problems that go with it. If you check out Wells Fargo Mortgage in California, they are the #1 holder of the most Foreclosed Properties in that state??? What does that say about them as a bank? It says to me that they aren't very good at making BIG decisions - glad I don't bank there or have my mortgage through them...

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 9, 2008 at 11:52 AM
To Todd. Todd they couldnt drain the pool themselves because it had frogs and mousquitos and a dead Dog in the pool would you drain that pool I dont think so.

Posted by: GoHuskers on Jul 9, 2008 at 11:06 AM
To anonymous: People just like to find things to complain about, especially if they are lonely and don't have anything else to do.

Posted by: Biff on Jul 9, 2008 at 09:59 AM
Tire tracks could've been left by people turning around in their driveway; their lawn could've been mowed by people worried about neighborhood appearance, property values and such. I think the inspectors should've looked for other/different signs of life - for example, were the utilities still in use at the house, or were they shut off? Just a thought.....

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 9, 2008 at 09:35 AM
Do these people ever stop complaining?

Posted by: Todd on Jul 9, 2008 at 07:08 AM
BOO HOO! 1. If the neighbors were so concerned about the pool why didn't they take a little time and drain it themselfs? 2. The kids need to listen to there parents! 3. So the people finally come and drain the pool, and then you complain how they drain it! Must be nice, in the current worlds problems, to worry about such stupid things!!!

Posted by: Mel on Jul 9, 2008 at 12:55 AM
Can't drain a mucky pool into the storm drain?! What, do they expect you to pump that into a house and into the bathtub, or what? That's crazy. The "pool" was nothing more than a "pond" in a big man-made container. or maybe Omaha expects people to drain ponds into the house, too...?

Channel 6 News Features