Vacuum trucks clean up after a flood!
Flooding is sometimes unavoidable after a severe storm, especially when debris and sediment build up and block the flow of water in sewer and storm sewer systems. If not fixed, the blockage will cause this excess runoff to continue, affecting both motorists and pedestrians. Fortunately, there is equipment specifically designed to alleviate this type of problem called vacuum trucks.
flood hazards
Flooding is more than an inconvenience to pedestrians and commuters. Submerged roads are dangerous to drive on as the water reduces the traction between the wheels and the road. The situation can become even more dangerous during the winter when melting snow can refreeze into a sheet of road ice that could cause vehicles to skid dangerously out of control.
Role of storm drains
Storm drains are conduit systems specifically designed to dispose of liquid runoff caused by precipitation and snow melt; they prevent storms from flooding the roads and their surroundings. Storm sewers are important infrastructure, especially in urban areas. Unlike rural areas where much of the rain is absorbed by the ground, urban areas and especially large cities have much of the ground covered in cement that does not absorb any liquid. Without a properly installed drainage system, rainwater will simply accumulate and could lead to flooding.
A storm system is a large infrastructure that runs under cities and is dedicated solely to removing this liquid runoff. The location of storm drains, as well as the size of the pipes used, are carefully planned to accommodate large volumes of water without overflowing.
A storm system has three main parts:
- Entry– The entrance is an opening that is usually located on the side of the road. The entrance is screened to prevent large debris from entering and blocking the pipes. The smaller debris that passes through the intake grill is collected in the sump.
- blowjobs– Pipes direct runoff away from the city. The diameter of the pipes varies according to the volume of liquid collected. The smallest pipes are those that are directly connected to the drain inlet. The pipes get bigger as several smaller ones merge to compensate for the increased volume. Water runoff systems also have other features, such as drops, stairs, balconies, and pits to collect debris.
- Plug– All the pipes, as well as the drainage pipes, lead to massive drains. In most cases, rainwater drains into natural water bodies such as oceans, rivers, lakes, or canals, where it can be safely discharged.
Causes of floods
Even though cities have floodwater removal plans, flooding still happens. There are two reasons for this: first, the volume of precipitation is too much for the drainage system to handle; and second, the sinkholes in the drainage system are clogged with so much debris that they restrict the flow of water.
role of vacuum trucks
If the flooding is caused by a clogged sump in the drainage system, vacuum trucks can provide help. The sump is specifically designed to catch debris and prevent it from entering the pipes; however, debris can build up over a period of time and cause a blockage. The role of the vacuum truck is to regularly clean the sumps and prevent blockages. Despite this regular activity, sinkholes can still easily swell during heavy rains and the end result can be a flood. During this type of crisis, vacuum trucks may be called in to perform their removal service and relieve the clog.
Flood sewer systems are designed to prevent excess precipitation from accumulating in a particular area; however, they do require regular maintenance in order for them to do their job effectively, which is where the role of vacuum trucks is so vital. The drainage system and the vacuum trucks work together to prevent a flood. When catastrophic flooding occurs, vacuum trucks are there to clean up after a deluge!