WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — School is almost out and the warm weather is here. Many people are looking for fun on the water. However, some in Warner Robins say they can't enjoy it the same way as others.
"For some, living next to a beautiful view with a cool breeze is a dream," Chad Langston said.
He's lived on the lake for seven years, and he shared his backyard with others.
"We would have families that would kayak around, but that's all gone now," he said.
He says those dreams and fun memories have turned into a polluted nightmare.
"With all of this construction dirt coming down and filling up these creeks and filling up the lakes so no one can enjoy it," he said.
Langston says Warner Robins didn't enforce stormwater standards on Developments on Creeks that connect to Leisure Lake.
He says through erosion and runoff, sediment is making it's way down stream and into his backyard. At one point, it even stained it orange.
"All of the creeks and the construction on those creeks are supposed to be controlled. The city is supposed to be making those construction companies follow the rules and regulations and they're just not," he said.
When reaching out to the city saying the lake is private property and they wouldn't be the responsible party for cleaning the lake.
Langston is more concerned about saving peoples sweet dreams
"We're really just asking for the city to enforce their own regulations. Not spend one red cent," he said.
Here are statements from the city:
"It would be in the HOA's best interest to get this matter resolved with the private property owner causing the issue," Director of Stormwater Compliance Krag Woodyard said.
"I have been notified of the issue at Leisure Lake, which is not far from my home. I've witnessed the muddy water turning the water a brown color, which is disappointing. I also know that the lake is privately owned, so the city cannot put resources into dredging the lake using tax payer dollars; however, my team has been cooperative with communications in assisting lake property owners in identifying the source of the issue, which is not caused by city owned property,” Mayor LaRhonda Patrick said.
We asked the city what codes are in place to keep builders accountable and waters clean. They said they must follow state environmental protection department guidelines.
We do know the city received a notice from EPD about concerns at the lake. City staff was out Wednesday morning surveying. We don't know their findings at this time.