Water and Drainage Mangement (Essay Sample)

Water drainage techniques, materials, processes and maintenance
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Water drainage techniques, materials, processes and maintenance
Flood water issues are a major problem in many homes, considering that most of the water can be from the precipitation, surface water flow or underground water seepage. It is appropriate to do an assessment of the topography, climatic and weather patterns to determine the water movement patterns. The assessment will give the clues to what water drainage patterns and the drainage features that can be needed in establishing an efficient drainage system in the affected area (Ritzema, Nijland, & Croon, 2006).
The assessment needs to the carried out on a wet day or immediately after it rains, if this is not possible one may need some environmental clues that can be traced in the landscape like erosion trails and gullies can be helpful in determining the source and the direction of water movement. The natural and artificial water paths in the region also need to be assessed and the consequences of diversion determined in order to make a decision on the right corrective action (department, 200). Other factors of importance included determining the geology of the area to determine the watershed patterns depending on the type and nature of bedrock, the topography of the area is essential in indicating the natural water flow pattern, finally, as an expert one needs to look at vegetation to determine the water interception and infiltration to the ground (Edwin & Bruce, 2010).
The decision on the best drainage system will be made depending on the assessment outcomes. The methods that can be used include the use of off path drainage ditches, underground drainage pipes or active pumping out of the water (Nijland, Croon, & Ritzema, 2005). These methods are appropriate for different topographies and the cost of establishment depends on the technique selected. The First technique is based on ditching as a drainage technique that is the easiest and cheapest to establish and the most common method.
The ditch method can be categorized into off path drainage that is common in major streets. The ditch comprises of an open ditch that intercepts water and drains to a natural waterway on the open field. This is appropriate for conveying the water to designated places or to underground water wells that facilitate drainage and improve water infiltration. The other method is the on-path drainage that is constructed to divert the water from specific areas this can take the form of cut-off drains, let drains and water bars (Edwin & Bruce, 2010). Cut-off drains, for instance, can be constructed to divert the flow of water from erosion channels and convey it to natural waterways. Letts are utilized to drain water from puddles and convey it to waterways (Nijland, Croon, & Ritzema, 2005). Active pumping can also be used in regions where the topography is relatively flat and basin like with poor water infiltration. Pumping as a drainage method has been used in a number of countries like Netherlands in reclamation and it is relatively successful through expensive as noted by many drainage system experts.
To set up a drainage system, there is a need to consider the availability and the type of drainage system that is required. The major materials that are needed in construction are stable blocks that can be readily found in the locality. For complex, underground systems one may require drain tubing, dry well and drainage covers for active pumping one might need a pump and pipe tubing (Ritzema, Nijland, & Croon, 2006). Despite this one needs some equipments to aid the installment like spades, wheelbarrow, tape measure and hoe. That can assist in digging the trenches and laying the whole drainage system in place.
The process involves, first contacting the authorities to determine the location of various amenities like underground cables and pipes. After confirming the site, is marked and the ditches are dug out and dry well constructed for areas that lack main drainage system. At this point, it may be decided to make the system open or underground depending on the needs. For underground syst...