JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The heavy downpours we've all experienced over the past few days put an improved drainage and sewer system to the test in San Marco. Residents again found standing water in the streets and in their yards, but perhaps not as much as they have in the past.
Opinions vary on whether or not the drainage issues have improved since the recent construction. Part of the project is to replace the curbs and the gutters and the sewers.
"Drainage in San Marco in general has improved, all the way down to European Street through here," said John Michaels who lives in San Marco. "There is no longer standing water. The water used to sit here, and cars would get stuck and run up through my neighborhood.
Local residents say a pumping station recently installed to redirect flood waters seem to be working in San Marco.
"It seems to be doing it's job. I can definitely see the improvements. The real test will be when we get a hurricane, but I would agree that this has been put to the test," said Michaels.
Not everyone agrees.
"No, I think it's gotten worse, construction crews have done the top and not the bottom, they need to fix the issues underneath the concrete," said John Beato.
Beato says the people who live in San Marco shouldn't have to deal with flooding every time it rains pointing out that San Marco is in a low lying area and will always have a fair share of problems.
The construction in San Marco isn't scheduled for completion until the end of May.
Calls to contractors were not returned.
For the most part, locals say they've seen the water drain faster, but say they still have a long way to go.
"We're definitely heading in the right direction," said Jaguar Dan, who lives in San Marco