When Kalli Saimos and Robert Grooby first moved into their home on Tarra Place in Ngunnawal 16 years ago, it was a dream start.
But in recent years, it has since turned into a nightmare scenario, thanks to a mysterious underground water source causing repeated flooding.
"When we first moved it, the place was dry and we were able to have grass up there," Ms Saimos said.
"In the past five years, the water levels have been building up, and we can't even walk out in the backyard any more because it's been covered in mud."
Despite repeated attempts by the government and engineers to identify the source of the underground water, it's still unclear as to what the cause of the flooding is.
In recent weeks, the issues have popped up again for Tarra Place residents, just months after efforts by government officials to mitigate damage.
While much of the cause was uncertain, one thing the Ngunnawal couple was certain of, however, is the problem was worsening.
"I'm just worried about a potential sinkhole issue and the water has been moving closer to our slab," Ms Saimos said.
"It's affecting us mentally and financially. We have spent more than $60,000 on trying to fix stormwater issues which has not done anything, and we don't want to do anything else until we know where the water has come from.
"With all the water that's constantly piling around the house, you start to wonder what sort of long-term damage it would do."
The issue has exasperated Tarra Place residents in recent months, with multiple flooding incidents and water drainage issues, with some homes even developing wetland plants in backyards, despite residents not planting them.
The underground water source has also led to severe potholes opening up on the road, despite repeated attempts by the ACT government to repair the issue.
While the holes were paved over in February, the water source has caused the potholes to open up again.
A geotechnical report commissioned by the territory government cited the development and expansion of Ngunnawal as a potential cause of the flooding, from a potential uphill source.
However, the report failed to find a definitive cause.
Ms Saimos said the water issues had turned their recently renovated backyard to mud, even after days of no rain, with the water levels encroaching further on the house.
"We're just getting more worried because it's been moving closer to the house," she said.
"This winter has also had a lot of rain, which only made the problem worse."
The water issues have led to body corporate fees in the strata complex the couple live in going up by $200 a quarter to help deal with the water issues, with the pair also having to pay a $1200 water levy to help with additional drainage. But the problem still remained.
An ACT government spokesman said: "Since the geotechnical report was received in February 2021, we have conducted further site visits and aerial mapping. Underground inspections were undertaken to determine the condition of the stormwater network in the vicinity of Tarra Place. The ACT government is in the process of procuring more extensive and detailed engineering investigations."
Further works were expected to be undertaken in August to investigate the cause of the flooding, taking up to two months.
Residents were set to be informed in coming days, the government spokesman said.
Despite the issues with their property, Ms Saimos and her family had no intention of moving.
She said all she wanted was answers.
"We don't want to move, with house prices being what they are, and we couldn't sell to a family or a retired couple given all the issues here, because that would not be fair," she said.
"No one, it seems, wants to take any steps to repair the issues at all, and the government needs to stand up and have a look."
Do you know more? Email: andrew.brown@canberratimes.com.au.
