Often, no one is accountable for runoff problems at construction sites that are in foreclosure or bankruptcy.

David Merryman clear some debris from a clogged water drain. The Catawba Riverkeeper David Merryman is finding eroding construction sites abandoned by developers across the Charlotte region, and local authorities can do little about the problem. T.ORTEGA GAINES-ogaines@charlotteobserver.com

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A growing number of orphan construction sites without clear owners are bleeding mud into local waterways across the Charlotte region.

Developers in bankruptcy or foreclosure sometimes leave eroding sites to banks, which are ill-equipped to address environmental problems and may refuse to pay for fixes. In some cases, enforcers can't find anyone to hold responsible.

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