subject: Residents Of Washington Terrace Very Much Aware Of Groundwater Problem [print this page] Words like lysimeters, piezometers and tensionmeters are overused these days in Washington Terrace.
Measuring water levels are what these words mean to engineers, but to residents of Washington Terrace, they see a chance for this underground water problem which already has brought sickness to residents for several years already in some parts of the city.
A complicated project, this is estimated to be $75,000 for it consists the construction of an underground drainage system which in the process will be converted into a storm drain.
The architecture of that system consists of putting up pipe segments measuring 15 inches at a point more than two feet under the basement level of homes in the area.
A gravel envelope will surround the open segments to allow the ground water to pass into the pipe.
This project will be monitored by a local state university student wherein various measuring devices will be installed to determine the quantity of water flowing through this underground pipe as well as the amount of surface water seeping into the ground.
A huge cylindrical lysimeter was first installed in the city's Central Park.
To be able to be included in the ground water flow, the surface water must first pass through beneath a layer of grass wherein under it is planted a cylindrical tank which containing another tank filled with soil.
A fence near the center field line of the park's baseball diamond marks the lysimeter's location with the only other evidence of its existence being a set of stairs which leads to a tall measuring device on which the amount of water in the soil is recorded.
The piezometers measure the depth of the water table along the underground drainage system while the tensionmeters measure the amount of surface water.
These devices which act some kind of a mechanical root, the piezometers and tensionmeters, haven't all been installed yet.
The tensionmeter draws water out of the ground and as the grass begins to dry out, the water returns back to the soil.
These devices will be installed in the city park and on a private residence study area with only two sets in each location due to its high price. In knowing whether to water to the turf, tensionmeters are used.
As a study of the uniformity and output of sprinklers, other tests will be included as to how residents, the city, and two different churches use their sprinklers.
The cooperation of many residents is needed in order to determine whether surface water contributes relevantly to the groundwater problem.
According to the primary results, the underground drainage system is a big help in the reduction of the groundwater problem in the area.
Before the installation of the system, some residents used to pump insignificant amounts of water in their properties.
Studies show that water tables in some areas have dropped as much as 2.5 feet between the end of May and the middle of June.
The groundwater situation according to another study is not caused by leakage from its holding tanks.
Though the problem on surface water has not yet been studied well, over watering is caused extensively by the city according to the initial results.
Residents will be informed about the correct way of watering frequency and the ample amount of water they should use once the sprinkler tests have been conducted.
As a conclusion of all the studies, the results will be explained in the meetings that the city mayor is counting on the residents to attend.
To have extensive bonding for a major project or resume at a slower rate will be the two decisions for the council to think about after they have heard the comments of the residents.
The success of this underground drain to handle both surface and subsurface water made the mayor decide that subdividers should be installed in the system for future land developments as a means of eliminating the problem.
by: John Chambers
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