Stormwater management has long been a major part of urban infrastructure, especially in cities with a lot of rain like Perth. Excess water flowing down streets may cause floods and damage to the area’s buildings and homes. Soakwells play a key role in this system by collecting and distributing stormwater runoff. They help deal with the problem of waterlogging because they are buried in the ground and allow polluted runoff to penetrate into the earth while protecting buildings against possible soil erosion. However, over time, soakwells will deteriorate so as to require repair work.
This article will explore why it’s necessary for people living in Perth to repair soakwells and some tips on stormwater maintenance for others around the country.
Understanding Soakwells
Soakwells, also known as soak pits or infiltration trenches, are structures buried underground to catch and soak up stormwater. They consist of a slotted tank or pit and are rounded with gravel and slack rock that permits the water to accumulate. When it rains, stormwater flows through the grate on the surface or through a pipe to enter into the soakwell in ground, which is a temporary place where it can be stored until it gradually seeps into surrounding soil or is emptied out through the sewer system.
Importance of Soakwell Repairs
Over time, soakwells may be damaged or clogged due to various environmental factors such as ground subsidence, root penetration, rubbish collection and corrosion. When soakwells don’t function properly as a result, water can pool in them or they fail completely causing flooding, land erosion and damage to property. In view of this, timely Soakwell repair and maintenance services are necessary to ensure that soakwells continue operating efficiently and do not incur costly damage.
Common Soakwell Repair Issues
Clogging: Soakwells may become clogged with debris such as leaves, earth, or silt, thus blocking proper drainage. This can cause water to accumulate around the soakwell or overflow into it when there is heavy rain.
Cracks or Damage: The sides or bottom of the soakwell may be cracked or damaged due to factors like ground movement, root intrusion, and bad construction. Cracks can lead to soil and rubbish entering into the soakwell, lessening its effectiveness at dealing with water.
Silt Accumulation: When this happens, the storage capacity of the soakwell is decreased and water flow is impeded. Silt accumulation is most pronounced in areas with high soil erosion or large amounts of sediment runoff.
Root Intrusion: Tree roots can penetrate soakwells via cracks or joints, blocking them and causing damage. Root intrusion is more common in older soakwells or ones positioned next to trees or shrubs.
Poor Installation: Soakwells that are installed incorrectly may have problems such as insufficient drainage, improper placement or inadequate capacity to cope with heavy rainfall. Poor installation may result in inefficient water treatment and possibly some structural problems.
Sinking or Shifting: Soakwells may sink or shift over time due to soil settlement, erosion and installation without sufficient compaction. This can mean the soakwell has uneven drainage, pooling water on one side or another– and eventually doing some damage to itself entirely.
Corrosion: Metal soakwells, particularly those made of steel or iron, are prone and when located in areas with high soil acidity or moisture levels may be even more so. Corrosion can weaken the structure and lead to leaks or failure.
Inadequate Maintenance: When proper maintenance such as clearing out debris from around a soakwell or checking for damage is neglected over time, it can only worsen any inherited problems and shorten the lifespan of these facilities. Regular inspection and maintenance may help head off problems in their early stages to avoid the heavy expense of repairs later on.
Soakwell Repair Methods
Repairing problems with the soakwell usually involves addressing one handicap or another such as cracks, clogs or damage to restore it to fend off its original usage. Here are some commonly used methods for repairing soakwells:
Cleaning: A clogged soakwell needs to be cleaned up first thing. This usually involves getting rid of the debris or sediment that’s clogging its drainage system. Tools such as a vacuum or pressure washer can be used to get accumulated debris out and restore proper flow of water.
Patch and Seal: Repair cracks or small holes in the soakwell structure using patch materials such as epoxy or specific waterproof sealants. These materials are put onto the damaged portion of the soakwell to seal up any cracks and prevent further water ingress.
Grouting: Grouting involves inserting a specifically mixed grout into cracks or voids in the soakwell structure to fill and seal them. This method is often used for larger cracks or parts of damaged areas that traditional patching would not suffice.
Root Removal: If tree roots have invaded the soakwell, repair will involve removing these to restore normal drainage. The irrigation equipment involved are roots cutters or hydro-jetting to dredge up root obstructions and prevent further problems elsewhere.
Reinforcement: For damage or weakening in the soakwell, reinforcement may be necessary to restore structural integrity. This can involve adding support structures or materials in the soakwell walls and concrete water barrier.
Replacement: When soakwell erosion and corrosion are severe, replacement may be the most effective choice. Old soakwells should be excavated and new ones put in, to ensure the right control of water and drainage.
Maintenance: Regular maintenance and inspection can control soakwell problems before they get too bad. This includes cleaning out debris, looking for cracks and damage, and ensuring good drainage in heavy rains.
Professional Services: In complex soakwell repairs, or when unsure about which is the best way to take care of one’s stormwater, it is advisable to have contractors in stormwater management.
Stormwater Maintenance Practices
Routine maintenance enhances the life of a drainage system.
Planning: A vast majority of maintenance works are based either on existing problems or upcoming planning processes.
Quick-response repairs: Many drainage operations are commissioned to provide a vested interest in the employment of manual labour and require immediate repairs in order to protect production productivity.
Debris interrupted drainage: When silt is impeded by obstacles such as stones or pieces of wood, productive yields drop and drainage efficiency is compromised.
Broken or poorly functioning pipes: Most drainage systems have a collection of pipes which carry water to and from the drinking station, but these often develop leaks. Pre-inspection of the drainage pipes, manholes and drains in order to locate potential threats early and make necessary corrections to prevent future problems.
Debris interrupted flow: Debris accumulation and blockages are avoided by regular cleaning of surface grates, inlet/outlet pipes and catchment basins.
Planting: Use dense tree stands to block soakwells from view and provide a natural green shield.
Civil defence measures: Local governments can give priority in order to assure that residents are not unduly suffering from natural disasters.
Grading and temporals: People have to be conscious of a number of factors in order to achieve rational drainage policies, and one issue is how to even out the seasonal flow of water.
Vegetation management: Trimming trees and shrubs near soakwells to prevent root intrusion and minimise the risk of structural damage. In addition, it is usually a good idea to trim fruit trees and crops so that they do not obstruct drains, form water ponds, or create conditions suitable for the breeding of malaria-carrying mosquitoes.
By understanding the common issues that require repair in a soakwell and instituting an appropriate maintenance strategy, property owners in Perth can themselves make a contribution to stable and sustainable stormwater management. The proper management of stormwater is vital for an urban environment like Perth, and soakwells are part of this system. Regular maintenance and punctual repairs to soakwells are essential in preventing flooding or damage caused to property. By adopting the proper maintenance practices for stormwater, property owners can help to create a more sustainable and durable environment for urban living in Perth.
