Basement Flooding
Salt Lake City Advises Community on Groundwater Intrusion Potential
Rain and saturated soils may lead to localized groundwater intrusion
SALT LAKE CITY - The current rainy weather pattern is increasing water levels in already saturated soils, resulting in rising water levels in some areas. Some homes are being impacted by groundwater intrusion in theirbasements.
“Our teams are monitoring groundwater levels throughout affected areas, and are working to track the extent of the problem of groundwater intrusion,” said Salt Lake City Public Utilities Director Jeff Niermeyer. “We are asking residents who are experiencing groundwater intrusion into their basements to notify our agency by contacting Dispatch at 801.483.6700, option 1.”
Water may intrude into basements by seeping through cracks andcrevices in basement walls and floors; or through a sump pump or floor drain cavity. The following steps may help reduce the likelihood of groundwater intrusion into residents’ basements:
· Make certain that downspouts are not discharging water near your house or building and are directed away from the foundation;
· Make certain your landscape is sloped awayfrom the foundation and not sloped toward your home or building;
· Check your sump pump for proper operation and remember to turn it on;
· Make certain all floor drains and sump pump cavities are clear; and
· Keep gutters, storm drains, and stormdraininlets clear of garden and other debris.
For more information, contact Jeff Niermeyer at 801.483.6785, or Stephanie Duer at 801.483.6860.