Question
Hello and thank you in advance for any insight.

We recently moved into a 21 year old home in central/coastal NJ.  The soil seems to have many problems, including anthills galore, weeds, and huge bald patches where the soil looks red.

The other day I heard a bubbling sound and traced it to an area amidst some weeds, about 20 feet from the house.  There was a small fountain, like a geyser, erupting out of the ground about 10 inches high.  When it finished, there was a small puddle.  The puddle receded after several hours, and the geyser was gone.

We've had a bit of rain lately, and the geyser has been erupting more.  My husband tried to dig into it and hit a terra cotta saucer, turned upside down.  The neighbors think it is an underground stream (this is what the previous owner told them). I am not so sure - would this be possible? There is also a sump pump underneath the stairs which were dug three years ago, to access the basement.

Do you have any ideas what this could be, or even what type of person I might ask? Do I ask my landscape guy?  A plumber? A contractor?

Thank you so much!

Jane (NJ)

Answer
Hi Jane,

Sorry I cannot help you in detail on this issue as it is not my area of expertise.  However based on my years of experience in horticulture I would advice you to seek the services of an hydrologist.  You could also consult local geological ground maps which would show any ground water running benneath your property.

Hope this helps.


Rgds,

Dr Dean Marston.