PALM BAY, Fla. – A Palm Bay homeowner is looking at thousands of dollars in repairs after a 350-gallon graywater tank was forced out of the ground during this week’s flooding, despite the fact that most of his property never went underwater.
Tom Kelly said nearby roads and neighboring yards flooded Monday, but his home sits on slightly elevated ground. Aside from some water that gathered near a shed, much of his yard remained clear.
Kelly initially believed his property had avoided significant damage. That changed when he looked into the backyard and saw the tank protruding from the soil.
“I didn’t see it coming out of the ground. I saw it after it came out,” Kelly said.
The tank was installed roughly five years ago as part of the home’s septic system. Kelly explained that it receives water from sinks, showers, washing machines and other household plumbing before sending that water to a second tank linked to the drain field.
Because the system includes an automatic pump, Kelly suspects the tank may have contained relatively little water. However, he does not know how full it was when it rose from the ground.
Experts say elevated groundwater can create enough upward pressure to lift buried tanks, even if floodwater never covers the surface above them.
The Florida Department of Health in Brevard County addressed that risk in a flood safety alert issued Tuesday, warning residents about potential problems involving septic systems.
The department advised homeowners with slow drains or other plumbing issues to limit water use and avoid pumping septic tanks while groundwater levels remain high. Officials noted that unusually saturated soil can cause tanks that have been emptied to collapse under the pressure.
The Environmental Protection Agency also cautions that pumping a septic tank while the surrounding soil is saturated may allow the tank to float upward, damaging pipes connected to the system.
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Kelly’s case is not exactly the same because his graywater tank was emptied by its built-in pump, not by a septic service company. The exact reason it shifted has not been independently confirmed.
The company that installed Kelly’s system plans to replace the 350-gallon tank Thursday with a smaller, 50-gallon model. The work is also expected to include repairs to plumbing and electrical components.
“And they gave me an estimation of three grand,” Kelly said.
Kelly, who has lived in Brevard County for 61 years, said he has never encountered anything like it.
He reached out to the News 6 Neighborhood Network to alert other homeowners that flooding can damage underground systems even when water never reaches the house.
“I’ve never seen anything like this happen. I just wanted the public to know what they’re dealing with and what can happen,” Kelly said.
The EPA recommends arranging a professional inspection if a septic system may have been damaged. Homeowners should also wait to pump their tanks until the surrounding soil dries and conserve water while groundwater levels remain elevated.
Kelly hopes telling his story will help other homeowners recognize the hidden risks of flooding—and prevent them from facing a similarly costly surprise.
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