The problem of surface water drainage Subsurface moisture levels increasing the stresses on the slab, resulting in: Cracks in the walls, the floor not being level, or doors and windows out of alignment. Damage to the slab causing major structural issues.
Surface waters generally suffer from combined impacts of multiple pollutants. According to the USEPA, nearly half of the surface waters (streams, lakes, and rivers) are contaminated and are unfit for human consumption, swimming, and fishing.
The basic physical solution is installing surface level drains and digging a trench for corrugated piping and connecting that to the sewer line, or running it down the sidewalk so it can drain water out to the gutter. Fill dirt and regrading may also be part of the fix.
Surface water discharges into highways drains and gullies and these can sometimes become blocked by leaves, litter, silt and waste. Water is unable to drain away quickly enough which leads to flooding.
Surface ponding or saturated topsoil are obvious signs of poor drainage. However, prolonged waterlogging under the surface may not be so easy to spot.
Surface water supplies are more prone to contamination from sources such as animal and human waste and algal blooms. Due to the potential for contamination, surface water is not recommended as a source of drinking water unless additional treatment processes such as filtration and disinfection are in place.
Storm Water Runoff Can Cause Waterway Erosion
Higher flows in streams can create erosion, loss of aquatic habitat and sediment deposition downstream.
States report that nonpoint source pollution is the leading remaining cause of water quality problems. The effects of nonpoint source pollutants on specific waters vary and may not always be fully assessed.
This is an essential service. Without good upkeep of the drainage system, the likelihood of surface water flooding and sewer flooding would increase dramatically.
Disadvantages – The most common disadvantages to using surface water as a water source include the following: Surface waters are easily polluted5 (or contaminated) with microorganisms that cause waterborne diseases and chemicals that enter the stream from sur- face runoff and upstream discharges.
If the drain is only blocked with mud or soil, you may be able to clear it using a standard garden hose. Alternatively, pour boiling water from a kettle down the drain and follow that up with the hose.
If you are connected to a septic tank, and you have a blockage in the drain between the house and your septic tank, your toilet paper will overflow through one of your external gully traps.
If you notice water gushing back out from the drain pipe or leaking out from the seams on the adapter, that is a sign that there are clogs in your underground drain.
A soakaway consists of a hole dug in the ground and filled with rubble or plastic crates. It provides a solution to excess surface water by letting it slowly drain and soak into the ground instead of build up.
Runoff occurs when there is more water than land can absorb. The excess liquid flows across the surface of the land and into nearby creeks, streams, or ponds. Runoff can come from both natural processes and human activity. The most familiar type of natural runoff is snowmelt.
Mulch reduces runoff by absorbing water. This not only helps your plants and decreases your watering needs (therefore decreasing your water bill), but it also helps to keep pollutants from being washed into storm drains and eventually into our waterways.