Q: I have a serious drainage problem in my back yard. With heavy rains, you can observe the water flowing out of the backyard like a river stream. Now a permanent waterway has been formed through my yard and a portion has sunk deeper, leaving an uneven ground. I want to know how to solve the problem without spending a lot of money.

A: Like problems with termites, problems with water in a landscape rarely just go away. And like termite problems, water problems can start small but get bigger very quickly. If the water is coming from underground, it could be from an underground water pathway ( a “spring”), from a leaking water supply line or from a broken storm sewer. If you have no idea from whence the water is coming, you’ll have to hire someone who can help you find the source.

Call the Metro Atlanta Landscape and Turf Association (770-975-4121) or the Georgia Green Industry Association (1-888-GET-GGIA) and ask them to recommend a professional who has expertise in correcting landscape water woes.