Preventing sewage damage disasters by pre cleaning
October 25, 2010
Following a catastrophic event from tropical storms and heavy flooding, the sewage system is always a common outlet of disaster since floodwaters would definitely hit the watersheds and sewer lines. Local government agencies and the federal government are working hand in hand in implementing programs and policies to address the issues in wastewater infiltration, sewage discharges or sewage backup and floodwater pollution. So, there are programs such as sewage mitigation for untreated wastewater, wetlands protection, and infiltration control. These programs are meant to manage the hazards from floodwater exposure to the sewer lines, and although it is a huge help to the community, the people and properties in the low-lying areas are still prone to high risk of sewage disaster.
As responsible citizens and homeowners, preventive measures and proactive actions must also be done to help the government in the advocacy against environmental pollution and defense against spread of illnesses. Now, if sewage disaster cannot be prevented, as it is still prone to happen despite the efforts of stopping it, knowledge on sewage disaster cleaning can be helpful. It is important to know how to clean the internal and external areas affected by sewage disaster.
Preventive Measures
a. Making a waterproof support for the building and sealing leaks or cracks found in walls and floors
b. Installing a check valve on the building sewer near the area where it enters the property as a protection from backups and overflows when sewage discharges from the city’s main sewer lines occur
c. Making necessary repairs and renovations on sinks and toilets that have been affected by sewage backups
Proactive Actions
a. Securing a pump that works to drain out water settling in the low areas of the structure
b. Making sure that the drainage and gutter downspouts are set away from the building foundation
c. If the household is prone to flooding, household materials, furniture, and other items must be placed where floodwaters cannot reach them
d. For minor flooding, trace the point of entry of the waters and check for any wall or floor cracks
Cleaning the Indoors
Restoration of the building and household materials as well as the structure primarily involves water extraction and disinfection. The cleanup must be done right after the flooding so that the level of contamination will not be that bad. If the sewage damage is beyond simple cleanup procedures, restoration professionals can do the work for you.
Cleaning the Outdoors
Sewage disaster prevention is not just conducted inside the building or the house. The external areas must also be cleaned such as the lawn, pavement, and tarmac. For the paved areas and tarmac, disinfection will do. The grass lawn may be left to dry out under the sun but must not be stepped on when water has not totally dried out yet.
Hurricane season still not over in the U.S. especially for these states
October 18, 2010
Whenever a tropical storm or hurricane may strike, it does not strike randomly. Weather forecasters and meteorologists can trace the storm path. However, the coastal areas are the scariest when catastrophes like these would occur because seawater level may easily increase and cause water to overflow to the inland. This can lead to flooding of the inland areas. Heavy rainfall can also create disastrous flooding and water damage caused by hurricanes or tropical storms to the plain or low-lying areas of a certain location.
Hurricanes are one of the dreaded natural calamities by most American residents. It is not easy dealing with the damages that such calamity brings such as destruction of many buildings and residences, power surge which could last for days to weeks, infrastructure damage, and the death of unfortunate people. In the past 10 years, here are some American States that were affected flooding and water damage caused by hurricanes, most of which are in the southern and southeastern portion of the country.
Texas
This state became a target of Hurricane Ike last September, 2008. There was widespread flooding in the whole Galveston downtown area. Inside the Galveston County Courthouse, water rose up to 6 feet deep. In the airport area, damages were also incurred with an 8-foot floodwater level.
On another catastrophe named Allison, Texas was also reported to have the most number of deaths. The worst water damage was experienced by Houston residents and the entire city as well. The flood drowned several people and thousands of houses, leaving so many people devastated and homeless.
Louisiana
Louisiana was another victim of the Hurricane Ike of the same year. The previously flooded areas from past tropical storms were covered again in water, so residents had to evacuate.
Another great hurricane, tropical storm Katrina, greatly hit New Orleans, Louisiana last 2005. The levee system in New Orleans crashed which caused flooding to become even more severe. One of the major causes of quick flooding in New Orleans is the poor construction of floodwalls which are supposed to block water from getting inland.
Florida
Florida, being situated in the southeastern coastal location, is also a frequent target of hurricanes. Two major tropical storms Allison and Wilma already hit the state in the past 10 years. Even Hurricane Katrina hit the state as Category 1 tropical storm which still caused flooding before leaving the area.
The Consequences of Sewage Damage Disasters
October 11, 2010
The sewage system is where all the water wastes from various sources end up. The primary sources of sewage are the kitchen sink, bathroom, and laundry. Wastes from these sources are from food preparation, dishwashing, toilets, showers, and sinks. The process of sewage damage cleanup will vary, but requires professional services in most cases to ensure the damages are corrected to health code standards.
The problem with sewage is when it is clogged or when there is leakage. When this happens, the drainage process of the water wastes is affected. Then, it would lead to sewage damage. Most probably, there will be instances of overflow from the primary sources of the sewage. This situation is more likely for domestic sewage system. On a larger scope, problems with the sewage system can lead to sewage damage disasters, which are even more detrimental to public health and the environment.
Sewage Pollution
One of the major problems in cities is sewage water pollution. Sewage pollution happens when untreated sewage water contaminates the bodies of water in our environment such as the creeks, rivers, and seas. This condition occurs due to the following causes:
• Cracked private or public sewer lines
• Blocked pipes by tree roots or other objects
• Failed or damaged sewage pumping stations
• Discharges from sewage overflows
• Draining off water without proper treatment
• Improper handling of waste water
During a bad weather when heavy downpour of rain happens, sewage pollution is worsened. This is because of the overflow of rainwater that goes through the sewer lines through pipe leaks and blocked pipes causing sewage backup and drained off untreated sewage water flowing into the rivers and seas.
Environmental Damage and Health Risks
Sewage water pollution can have many ill effects to human health as well as to the ecological system. One of the major problems of sewage damage disasters is called eutrophication, a condition wherein excessive chemical elements are deposited in water bodies. Eutrophication lessens the quality of water and reduces the population of marine life.
The toxins coming from the untreated sewage water which is drained off into the various water forms are consumed by aquatic organisms. So, it is very possible that the food chain will be jeopardized due to these toxins. Sewage pollution also affects the coral reefs worldwide as its growth is hampered by the presence of toxins.
Apart from the environmental hazards, sewage water pollution also poses great risk to human health. The presence of pathogens such as Giardia and Cryptosporium in the untreated sewage water becomes the cause of various diseases, which can be really deadly and fatal. One example of illness is malaria caused by the growth of mosquitoes in stagnant waters. Typhoid attack is also a possible disease caused by contaminated water. Gastrointestinal disorders brought about by virus coming from the untreated sewage water are also a cause for concern.
